Robert Morris, Founder of Gateway Church, Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges
Robert Preston Morris, the founder of Gateway Church, has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office said Wednesday.
Background of the Case
Morris, 63, resigned from his position as senior pastor of Gateway in June, several days after Cindy Clemishire publicly alleged he sexually abused her from the ages of 12 to 17 in the 1980s.
Clemishire told The Dallas Morning News that Morris met her family after visiting their church in Oklahoma while he was a traveling preacher. At the time the alleged abuse began, Morris was 21 years old, married and had a young child.
Investigation and Indictment
When Clemishire first publicly alleged Morris abused her, legal experts told The News the statute of limitations for a criminal case against him may have expired. In a Wednesday news release, the Oklahoma Attorney General said that was not the case, as “Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time,” according to the release.
“After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child,” Clemishire told The News on Wednesday.
“Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable,” she said. “My family and I are deeply grateful to the authorities who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible and remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail.”
Reaction from the Church and Authorities
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond briefly represented Clemishire in 2007, when she sought a lawsuit against Morris.
“There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,” Drummond said in the Wednesday news release. “This case is all the more despicable because the alleged perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for justice to be done.”
Tra Willbanks, chair of Gateway’s elder board, said in a statement to The News that the church is aware of the indictment. “We are grateful for the work of the justice system in holding abusers accountable for their actions,” he said.
“We continue to pray for Cindy Clemishire and her family, for the members and staff of Gateway Church and for all those impacted by this terrible situation.”
Aftermath and Investigation
Morris has not responded to letters and at least five phone calls from The News seeking comment. The News called three phone numbers listed in public records for Morris Wednesday and left voicemails at two of them and did not immediately receive a response.
After the abuse allegations became public, Gateway announced it had retained the law firm Haynes Boone to conduct an independent investigation into those allegations.
The investigation resulted in the removal of four elders and numerous staff members who had at least “some” knowledge of the Morris abuse allegations, Willbanks said at a service in November.
At that service, Willbanks said Gateway was cooperating with a criminal investigation that did not involve the church’s current leadership. He also said Gateway had a “failure of culture.”
Cultural Reckoning at Gateway Church
Since Morris’ resignation, Gateway has faced a cultural reckoning. The church has lost roughly a quarter of its weekly attendees following the scandal.
Several staff members spoke to The News about what Gateway was like before Morris’ exit. They said the church had a “narcissistic” culture, where criticism was silenced and staffers were left with lasting trauma.
Willbanks told The News that Gateway is listening to former staffers’ concerns.
“I think we’re going to be better, going forward, because of these lessons that we’ve learned over the last eight months,” he said. “We had been ‘off’ for a while, and this was a wake-up call.”
Conclusion
The indictment of Robert Morris is a significant development in the case, and it marks a major step towards justice for the victim, Cindy Clemishire. The cultural reckoning at Gateway Church is also an important step towards healing and accountability.
As the case continues to unfold, it is essential to remember the importance of listening to and believing victims of abuse, and to create a culture where they feel safe and supported in coming forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Robert Morris, and what is he accused of?
A: Robert Morris is the founder of Gateway Church, and he is accused of five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child.
Q: Who is the victim in the case?
A: The victim is Cindy Clemishire, who alleges that Morris sexually abused her from the ages of 12 to 17 in the 1980s.
Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: Morris has been indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child, and the case is ongoing.
Q: How has Gateway Church responded to the allegations?
A: Gateway Church has announced an independent investigation into the allegations and has removed several staff members who had knowledge of the abuse allegations. The church is also cooperating with a criminal investigation.
