A MEGACHURCH pastor accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl allegedly warned her never to tell anyone about the sickening abuse she said went on for years.
On Friday, Cindy Clemishire accused Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, of sexually abusing her for four and a half years and grooming her until she was 16, from 1982 to 1987.
Following the allegations, Morris admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young girl”, although he made no reference to age.
Clemishire told the church watchdog blog The Wartburg clock that the abuse began on Christmas Day 1982 and lasted more than four years until she informed a close friend what was happening.
When the alleged abuse began, Clemishire said Morris told her, “Don’t ever tell anyone about this because it will ruin everything.”
Morris, who served on former President Donald Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board in 2016, has since admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young “lady” but did not specify the age of the girl or woman.
“When I was in my early twenties, I engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young woman in the house where I was staying,” the Megachurch pastor said in a statement obtained by the CNN affiliate. WFAA.
“It was kisses and caresses and not sexual relations, but it was wrong.
“This behavior occurred on several occasions over the following years.”
He went on to say that the “situation” was revealed in March 1987, after which he claimed to have “confessed and repented.”
“I submitted to the elders of Shady Grove Church and the young woman’s father,” Morris said.
“They asked me to leave the ministry and go into counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since then, I have walked with purity and responsibility in this area.”
In March 1989, Morris said he returned to the ministry with the “full blessing of the elders” and the “young woman’s” father.
In October of the same year, Morris said he and his wife Debbie met with the “young woman” and her family and asked for forgiveness.
“And they kindly forgave me,” he said.
“This sin was dealt with correctly through confession and repentance, which I did in 1987 and 1989.”
It does not appear that Morris was ever charged with such an incident.
SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS
The alleged abuse began when Morris and his family spent Christmas Eve with Clemishire and his family in 1982, Clemishire told Wartburg Watch.
She said that night Morris asked her to visit him in his room.
Once in the room, she said the pastor told her to lie on her back while he allegedly touched her belly.
Clemishire said he then told her to close her eyes while he allegedly touched her breasts and felt under her underwear.
It was then that he allegedly warned her not to tell anyone what happened.
Shortly afterward, Clemishire said he returned to the room he shared with his sister and did not say a word about the incident.
She went on to say that similar behavior occurred repeatedly until March 1987.
She accused the pastor of wanting to “make out” and “engage in heavy petting.”
Clemishire stated that when he turned 16, Morris allegedly attempted to have sexual intercourse.
A short time later, Clemishire said she revealed the alleged abusive behavior to a close friend who encouraged her to tell her parents.
Clemishire’s father immediately reported Morris, asking him to step away from the ministry or call the police.
It wasn’t long before Morris left his position of two years, Clemishire told The Wartburg Watch.
During that time, Clemishire said Morris’ wife, Debbie, called her and told the teen that she had “forgiven her.”
IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS
Clemishire told the church watchdog blog that it took more than 10 years of counseling to fully understand what allegedly happened during her childhood.
In 2005, she reportedly hired a lawyer to file a civil lawsuit over the incident.
At the time, Morris’ lawyer allegedly insinuated that any abuse was Clemishire’s fault.
She said the lawyer told her she was “flirting.”
She then sought a $50,000 financial settlement, however, Morris’ legal team responded by offering $25,000 as long as she signed an NDA.
Clemishire reportedly declined the offer.
‘PROTECT PEOPLE’
Clemishire told WFAA that she has been telling her story for years, calling it “harrowing.”
“The story is harrowing when I read it on paper and have been sharing it for years,” she told the outlet.
“It’s God’s time, I think, for this to come to light.”
She added: “People shouldn’t be able to do this to children or adults and get away with it.”
Clemishire disputed Morris’ characterization of the alleged incident.
“He didn’t come forward and confess. He was reported,” she said. “When someone is reported, why do they regret it? Are they sorry they got caught? Or are they really sorry for what they did?”
She admitted that her family eventually forgave the megachurch pastor, but noted that they never approved or supported his return to ministry.
“I think leaders can get caught up in thinking it’s our responsibility to protect God and it’s not,” Clemishire said.
“Our responsibility is to protect the people. God is bigger than all this.”
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