The best scenario I can think of is that the Sect hired the bandits, who are situated in Talmen, to go south to Aoli and torch their own church there. Since the Sect is aware that someone is staging an uprising against them in Sord, the best way to flush Melvin out would be to pin more crimes on him, identify his face, and make him a wanted man. The destroyed church in Aoli would be nothing more than collateral damage to the Sect, and can be easily replaced.

After that craziness happens, the bandits can be pursued to Talmen. How does that work out?