The pastor and founder of a Texas megachurch has resigned after a woman said he abused her in the 1980s when she was 12, prompting several Texas officials to condemn the pastor’s actions and call for accountability.
Robert Morris, 62, founder of Gateway Church, resigned as the megachurch’s senior pastor on Tuesday after Cindy Clemishire said Friday on a religious watchdog blog, The Wartburg Watch, that Morris abused her when she was 12 from 1982 to 1987.
The church board said they were aware Morris had been involved in an extramarital affair with a “young lady” but they said they believed the phrase referred to a woman and not to a 12-year-old child.
According to the Dallas Morning News, State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, said in a text message that lawmakers must protect victims of child abuse by improving the laws.
“There must be no safe haven or security for anyone who abuses a child in Texas,” Leach said. “To that end, the Texas Legislature must continue to improve our laws protecting and ensuring justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse and holding criminals and those who aid them responsible.”
John Huffman, the former mayor of Southlake, where the church is located, called for accountability.
“Some sins are so egregious and vile that they disqualify a person from holding an office of trust like a pastorship,” Huffman wrote on X/Twitter. “Elizabeth and I are deeply saddened for the victim of this sexual abuse, the child whose innocence was ripped away by someone she trusted. I can’t imagine how painful the last 35 years have been for her. She deserves every measure of justice, delayed as it may be.”
Texas State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, also called for accountability.
“My heart goes out to the woman whose life was irrevocably altered by his actions when she was just a child. She deserves justice and support,” Capriglione said. “Pastor Morris must be held accountable for his actions. The pain he has caused cannot be erased, and he should face the consequences of his crimes. I stand with any victims and will continue to fight for their rights and safety.”
Despite the calls for accountability, it is still unclear whether or not a criminal or a civil case can be brought against Morris.
Other Texas officials such as Attorney General Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Senator Ted Cruz have remained silent, as of the publication of this article.
The Gateway Church was founded by Morris in 2000 and over 100,000 people attend each weekend. Morris has had ties in the political world, as he was an evangelical advisor of former President Donald Trump.
