Gateway Church Senior Pastor Robert Morris Resigns Amid Allegations of Inappropriate Relationship with 12-Year-Old Girl in the 1980s

Southlake, Texas United States of America
Alleged abuse occurred between 1982 and 1987.
Board of Elders expressed sympathy to victim's family and retained a law firm for independent review.
Gateway Church senior pastor Robert Morris resigned amid allegations of inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old girl during the 1980s.
Morris confessed to church elders in 1987 but full extent of actions was not known.
Victim, Cindy Clemishire, shared her account with WFAA last week.
Gateway Church Senior Pastor Robert Morris Resigns Amid Allegations of Inappropriate Relationship with 12-Year-Old Girl in the 1980s

A Dallas-area megachurch, Gateway Church, accepted the resignation of its senior pastor, Robert Morris, following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old girl during the 1980s. The alleged abuse occurred between 1982 and 1987.

The victim, Cindy Clemishire, shared her account of the abuse with WFAA last week. According to her statement, Morris' behavior was brought to light in 1987 when he confessed and received counseling. However, the elders at Gateway Church were previously unaware of the full extent of Morris' actions.

The Board of Elders stated that they regret not having all the facts earlier and expressed sympathy to Clemishire and her family. They have retained a law firm to conduct an independent review of the report to fully understand the events that took place during this time period.

Morris, who founded Gateway Church in 2000, served on a faith advisory council during former President Donald Trump's administration. He hosted Trump at Gateway Church in June 2020.

The allegations against Morris were first reported by The Wartburg Watch, a Christian watchdog publication. Clemishire told WFAA that she had tried to tell church leaders about the abuse over the years but her story only came to light after a retired pastor suggested she speak with The Wartburg Watch.

Morris acknowledged the inappropriate sexual behavior and described it as kissing and petting without intercourse. He confessed to church elders at the time and sought forgiveness. However, Clemishire's family never supported Morris returning to the ministry.

The Board of Elders stated that they were previously aware of Morris' extramarital relationship but did not have all the facts regarding abuse.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if any legal action has been taken against Morris.
  • The full extent of Morris' actions was not known to the Board of Elders in 1987.

Sources

74%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Texas megachurch pastor Robert Morris resigns after "inappropriate sexual behavior" with 12-year-old

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ S.E. Jenkins, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 05:03
  • Unique Points
    • Robert Morris resigned from Gateway megachurch following child sex abuse allegation
    • Allegations against Morris involve a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl between 1982 and 1987
    • Cindy Clemishire publicly accused Morris of molesting her during that period
  • Accuracy
    • Morris allegedly had an extramarital relationship with a young lady, but it was not previously known that this involved abuse of a 12-year-old child
  • Deception (0%)
    The article reports on allegations of sexual assault against Robert Morris by a 12-year-old girl. The authors report details about the alleged abuse that were not disclosed to the church elders at the time, including the age of the victim and the length of the abuse. This is an example of selective reporting as it only reports details that support their position and omits important information that would change their readers' perception. The authors also report Morris's own admission to 'inappropriate sexual behavior', but do not specify whether this refers to the same incident or a different one, further contributing to the deception.
    • The elders’ prior understanding was that Morris’s extramarital relationship, which he had discussed many times throughout his ministry, was with ‘a young lady’ and not abuse of a 12-year-old child.
    • Morris allegedly had a sexual relationship with a minor between 1982 and 1987, when he was a traveling Evangelist in his early 20s.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The authors use inflammatory rhetoric by stating 'child sex abuse allegation' and 'sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl' without providing any evidence or context in the beginning of the article. They also use loaded language when they describe Morris as having a 'thorough review of the report of past abuse to ensure we have a complete understanding of the events'. This implies that there is more to this story than what has been presented, but no further information is provided.
    • ]The authors use inflammatory rhetoric by stating 'child sex abuse allegation' and 'sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl'[
    • 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.[He] should have been terminated.[
    • The elders prior understanding was that Morris’ extramarital relationship, which he had discussed many times throughout his ministry, was with ‘a young lady’ and not [the] abuse of a 12-year-old child.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

68%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Megachurch pastor resigns after admitting 'sexual behavior' with 'young lady.' She was 12.

USA Today Tuesday, 18 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Morris resigned after admitting to 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' 35 years ago.
    • The young lady in question was 12 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.
    • Cindy Clemishire went public with allegations that Morris started molesting her when she was 12 and he was 21.
  • Accuracy
    • Morris resigned on Tuesday after admitting to 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' 35 years ago.
    • Morris previously described the behavior as 'kissing and petting'
    • Morris had a television program that airs in over 190 countries and a radio program in more than 6,800 cities.
    • Morris was once spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump and was on his spiritual advisory board during the campaign and presidency.
  • Deception (0%)
    The article reports on the resignation of a pastor due to allegations of sexual abuse against a minor. The author does not make any editorializing or pontification statements, but the article itself contains emotional manipulation and sensationalism through its title and descriptions of the alleged behavior. The title states that the 'young lady' was 12 at the time of the alleged abuse, which is intended to elicit an emotional response from readers. Additionally, phrases such as 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady', 'criminal sexual abuse', and 'molesting' are used to sensationalize the situation. The article also selectively reports details that support the allegations against Morris, such as his previous role as a spiritual adviser to former President Trump and his large following, while omitting any information that may cast doubt on the allegations or present a more balanced perspective.
    • Clemishire said the abuse continued in Oklahoma and Texas until 1987.
    • The pastor of a megachurch in Dallas resigned Tuesday, two days after admitting to "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" 35 years ago. The "young lady' in question was 12 and the "behavior' as she described it would amount to criminal sexual abuse.
    • The now-former Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church was preaching to more than 100,00 active attendees and was once a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump.
  • Fallacies (50%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning the size of the church and its former spiritual adviser to a president. This is not a logical reason for evaluating the validity of Clemishire's claims.
    • The pastor of a megachurch in Dallas resigned Tuesday, two days after admitting to ‘inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady’ 35 years ago. The now-former Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church was preaching to more than 100,000 active attendees and was once a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Texas megachurch accepts senior pastor’s resignation after allegations of ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a minor

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Tuesday, 18 June 2024 21:07
  • Unique Points
    • Senior pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Dallas resigned on Tuesday following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old girl during the 1980s.
    • The alleged abuse occurred between 1982 and 1987, but the elders previously believed Morris’ extramarital relationship was with an older woman.
    • Cindy Clemishire, the victim, shared her account of the abuse with WFAA last week.
  • Accuracy
    • Morris confessed to inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in 1987 while he was a pastor at Shady Grove Church and stepped out of ministry to receive counseling.
    • Morris previously described the behavior as 'kissing and petting' but it is considered criminal sexual abuse.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

77%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Woman who accused ex-Trump adviser of molesting her says he shouldn’t lead a church

Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Mike Hixenbaugh Wednesday, 19 June 2024 05:06
  • Unique Points
    • Robert Morris confessed to a ‘moral failure’ from over 40 years ago after being accused of molesting a girl named Cindy Clemishire when she was 12.
    • The alleged encounters occurred on several occasions between 1982 and 1987, with Morris instructing the victim to keep it a secret.
    • Clemishire’s accusations were made public in an article by The Wartburg Watch, a website focused on exposing stories of abuse in churches.
    • Morris acknowledged the ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’ and described it as kissing and petting without intercourse. He confessed to church elders at the time and sought forgiveness.
    • Clemishire said she has tried repeatedly over the years to tell church leaders about what she says Morris did to her as a child, but her story came out only after a retired pastor suggested she speak with The Wartburg Watch.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The author uses the phrase 'moral failure' to describe the pastor's actions which is an attempt to downplay the severity of his actions. The author also quotes Clemishire recalling Morris saying 'it will ruin everything.' This is emotional manipulation as it implies that speaking out about abuse would cause more harm than good.
    • The woman, Cindy Clemishire, told NBC News that Morris, now a senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, was staying with her family on Christmas night in 1982. She was 12; he was 21... He then touched her breasts and felt under her panties... 'It will ruin everything.', Clemishire recalled him saying.
    • Morris acknowledged Saturday in a statement to The Christian Post, an evangelical news site, what he called 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' when he was in his 20s.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses the phrase 'moral failure' to describe the pastor's actions, which is an attempt to downplay the severity of his actions by implying that they were merely a mistake or lapse in judgment rather than criminal behavior. This is an example of euphemistic language and can be considered a form of obfuscation.
    • The woman, Cindy Clemishire, told NBC News that Morris, now a senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, was staying with her family on Christmas night in 1982. He invited her to his room and instructed her to lie on her back. He then touched her breasts and felt under her panties... Morris acknowledged Saturday in a statement to The Christian Post what he called 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' when he was in his 20s.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author uses the term 'moral failure' to describe the pastor's actions which can be seen as an attempt to downplay the severity of the situation. The author also quotes Clemishire saying that Morris described her as a 'young lady', which can be perceived as an attempt to minimize her age and experience during the abuse.
    • Clemishire said she was disgusted by Morris’ description of her as a ‘young lady.’
      • The same written statement was sent to Gateway Church employees Friday within hours of Clemishire’s story being published in The Wartburg Watch, according to a copy of the message reviewed by NBC News. Morris acknowledged Saturday in a statement to The Christian Post, an evangelical news site, what he called ‘inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady’ when he was in his 20s.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      80%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Pastor Robert Morris Leaves Gateway Church After Abuse Allegations

      The New York Times Orlando Mayorquín Wednesday, 19 June 2024 03:39
      • Unique Points
        • The alleged abuse occurred several years before Gateway Church was established.
      • Accuracy
        • Pastor Robert Morris resigned from Gateway Church after being accused of sexually abusing a child in the 1980s.
        • Robert Morris served on a faith advisory council during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
      • Deception (30%)
        Orlando Mayorquín selectively reports information by only mentioning the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady without disclosing that it was a 12-year-old child. He also fails to disclose that the investigation into these allegations is ongoing and no charges have been filed against Robert Morris.
        • Orlando Mayorquín stated: 'The relationship was reported last week by The Wartburg Watch, a Christian watchdog publication. The website said that Mr. Morris had sexually abused a girl, beginning when she was 12 years old.', but he did not include this detail in his initial statement about the allegations.
        • Orlando Mayorquín stated: 'Robert Morris, a faith adviser to the Trump White House, resigned from Gateway Church after he was accused of abusing a child in the 1980s.'
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The author, Orlando Mayorquín, makes an appeal to authority when he mentions that Robert Morris was a faith adviser to the Trump White House. This is a fallacy because the fact that someone holds a position of power or authority in one area does not necessarily make them an expert or trustworthy source in another area.
        • The author states: 'Robert Morris, a faith adviser to the Trump White House,'
      • Bias (95%)
        The author, Orlando Mayorquín, uses language that depicts the accused pastor's actions as 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' and 'abuse of a 12-year-old child'. This language implies a moral judgment and bias towards the pastor. The author also mentions that the pastor was once a faith adviser to former President Trump without providing any context or commentary, which could be seen as an attempt to influence the reader's perception of the pastor.
        • As leader of the church, we regret that we did not have the information that we now have.
          • The author mentions that Pastor Robert Morris was once a faith adviser to former President Trump without providing any context or commentary.
            • The relationship was reported last week by The Wartburg Watch, a Christian watchdog publication. The website said that Mr. Morris had sexually abused a girl, beginning when she was 12 years old.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication