Article Summary –
Robert Morris, the founder and senior pastor of Gateway Church in Texas, resigned after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her multiple times between 1982 and 1987, when she was a minor. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, claimed she had reported the abuse to a church official and a board member in 2005 and 2007, contrary to the board’s assertion that they were unaware of her age at the time of the alleged incidents. Gateway Church, founded by Morris in 2000, has since hired a law firm to investigate the allegations.
Texas Megachurch Pastor Resigns Over Allegations of Sexual Abuse
Robert Morris, the founder and former senior pastor of Gateway Church in Texas, resigned on Tuesday following accusations of sexually abusing a minor from 1982 to 1987. The church’s board of elders accepted his resignation, expressing their shock and disappointment over the allegations brought forward by Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 years old when the alleged abuse began.
Investigation into Alleged Abuses
Gateway Church has engaged a law firm to conduct a thorough investigation into the claims. The board acknowledged that it was previously unaware of the gravity of the situation, including the victim’s age during the abuse and its duration. It admitted to having knowledge of an extramarital affair, however, it assumed it involved a “young lady”.
Leadership Changes at Gateway Church
Morris’s name was deleted from the church’s leadership webpage late Monday and his son, James, is now recognized as the senior leader of Gateway Church. The former pastor has not issued a comment on the allegations, but has admitted to having “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a young woman in his early 20s, which did not involve intercourse.
Victim’s Reaction to the Resignation
Clemishire, now 54, expressed gratitude for Morris’s departure from his pastoral position but conveyed her discontent with the fact that he was not dismissed. She challenged the board’s claim of ignorance about her age at the time, stating she had disclosed the matter to a church official and board member in 2005 and 2007, respectively.
Details of the Alleged Abuse
The accusations against Morris first surfaced on the religious blog, Wartburg Watch. Clemishire also recounted her ordeal to the Dallas Morning News, stating that Morris, a family friend and travelling preacher, began abusing her in 1982. She alleged that the abuse spanned over 4½ years.
Morris’s Influence
Despite the allegations, Morris had considerable influence, having established Gateway Church in Dallas in 2000. The church, which began with 30 members, has grown into an evangelical church with around a dozen locations and over 100,000 congregants each weekend. Morris was also part of an unofficial faith advisory group during the Trump administration, further amplifying his reputation among conservative Christians.
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