The pastor of a Texas megachurch has stepped down after a woman accused him of sexually abusing her multiple times in the 1980s when she was just 12 years old. Robert Morris, the senior pastor and founder of Gateway Church, resigned following the allegations. The church’s board of elders released a statement indicating that they had accepted his resignation and hired a law firm to conduct an independent review of the events that occurred between 1982 and 1987. This decision was made to ensure a complete understanding of the situation.
The allegations were first brought to light by Cindy Clemishire on the religious watchdog blog, The Wartburg Watch. Clemishire shared in an interview with The Dallas Morning News that she met Morris in 1981 when he was a traveling preacher who began preaching at her family’s church in Oklahoma. Their families became close, and Morris stayed at her house in 1982. It was during this time that the alleged abuse began, continuing for about four and a half years.
Morris, in his early 20s at the time, admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where he was staying. He described the behavior as kissing and petting but not intercourse, acknowledging that it was wrong and happened on several occasions over the following years. The board of elders stated that they were unaware of the full extent of the inappropriate relationship between Morris and the victim before Friday, including her age at the time and the duration of the abuse.
Gateway Church, located in Southlake, Texas, was founded by Morris in 2000 and has grown to accommodate over 100,000 attendees each weekend across multiple locations in the area. Morris, known for his political involvement, was part of former President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board and hosted Trump at the church’s Dallas campus in 2020 for a discussion on race relations and the economy.
As of now, Morris has not responded to requests for comments on the allegations. The church’s decision to conduct an independent review shows their commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the situation. It is essential for institutions to handle such allegations seriously and prioritize the well-being of all individuals involved.
Sexual abuse allegations, especially those involving individuals in positions of power and influence, highlight the importance of creating safe environments and implementing proper safeguards to prevent such incidents from occurring. It is crucial for organizations to have robust policies in place to address misconduct and support survivors who come forward with their experiences.