#also take this with a grain of salt theory-wise i haven't read the faith lore in a long whil

[to-my-rotten-core]

The whole "how does Garcia even know what happened to John/know John in the first place" pothole could easily be explained if they canonized my old man yaoi.

If Garcia knew Allred, either as friends or just acquaintances, then the latter could've spoken about John to the former.

Garcia would have a hard time believing the papers after the Martin exorcism, that talk about John murdering both Allred and the Martin couple, since Allred would've told Garcia about John's personality beforehand.

He would've investigated the incident furthermore, finding out about the cult, tracking their activity, and Amy and John's whereabouts (the psychiatric hospital).

Then the Michael incident happens a year later, and while Garcia is out in the Snake Meadow Hill Road, he spots John.

He knows the man's face by now, and is surprised they let him out of the hospital. Surprised, too, since John is still wearing his priest outfit even after being excommunicated.

Considering Garcia's faith is wavering after he failed to exorcise Michael (by the color of his crucifix), seeing John go back to the place where the Amy exorcism failed and try to finish what he started is a testament to John's potential to defeat the cult.

(Garcia obviously would know John killed Michael, but that's besides the point.)

Maybe he follows John as the man goes back to his home, and that's why he knows John's address and sends him letters.

(Though I have no idea how to explain the dream they might or might not have shared together, but whatever.)

Then as the Profane Sabbath approaches, Second Death cult activity rises around town, and the rest is history.