Robert Morris Resigns as Gateway Church Pastor Amid Child Abuse Allegations
In a shocking revelation that has rocked the faith community, Robert Morris has resigned from his position as senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. This comes three days after he confessed to engaging in “sexual behavior” with a child over several years during the 1980s.
The Announcement and Reaction
The announcement of Morris’s resignation was made by the board of elders at Gateway Church on Tuesday. The elders’ statement, shared with NBC News, expressed their prior belief that Morris’s extramarital relationship involved “a young lady,” not a child. They were unaware of the victim’s age or the duration of the abuse until recent revelations.
“Even though it occurred many years before Gateway was established, as leaders of the church, we regret that we did not have the information that we now have,” the church leaders stated. To ensure a thorough understanding of the events, Gateway has engaged the law firm Haynes & Boone to conduct an independent review of the allegations.
Morris’s Confession and Background
Robert Morris, who was once part of President Donald Trump’s spiritual advisory committee, had previously recounted a story of a “moral failure” involving sexual sin from his early days as a minister in his 20s. However, the full extent and nature of his misconduct remained undisclosed until recently.
Last week, Cindy Clemishire, now 54, brought to light the true nature of Morris’s actions. She revealed on the church watchdog site The Wartburg Watch that Morris had sexually abused her starting in 1982 when she was only 12 years old. This abuse allegedly continued for more than four years. Clemishire detailed her harrowing experience to NBC News on Monday, leading to a swift response from Gateway Church and Morris.
Church’s Response and Clemishire’s Statement
Following Clemishire’s public disclosure, Gateway and Morris issued statements on Friday and Saturday. They acknowledged that Morris had engaged in “sexual behavior with a young lady” and described the issue as having been “dealt with correctly by confession and repentance.”
Clemishire, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed mixed emotions regarding Morris’s resignation. “Though I am grateful that he is no longer a pastor at Gateway, I am disappointed that the Board of Elders allowed him to resign,” she said. “He should have been terminated.” Clemishire also revealed that she had repeatedly reported the abuse to various church leaders and pastors, including those at Gateway, but no action was taken until she went public.
Moving Forward
The scandal surrounding Morris’s actions has prompted Gateway Church to take decisive steps to address the situation comprehensively. The independent review by Haynes & Boone aims to provide a clear and complete understanding of the events and ensure accountability within the church leadership.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and vigilance in religious and community organizations. It highlights the necessity for leaders to respond promptly and appropriately to allegations of misconduct to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain the integrity of their institutions.
As the faith community grapples with these revelations, the hope is that this painful chapter will lead to stronger safeguards and a renewed commitment to justice and healing for all affected by such abuses.
