Local pastor charged with sexually abusing a child over 30 years ago

According to a report by WFAA, the pastor of a local megachurch is making headlines for alleged sexual encounters with a child over 30 years ago:

“A woman accuses Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris of first molesting her on Christmas 1982, when she was 12 years old.

“Cindy Clemishire, the plaintiff, tells WFAA that the abuse continued until 1987, when she told a friend what had happened. Clemishire says she told her parents after the friend advised her to do so.

“On Sunday, Morris admitted he had “engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a young lady,” but did not mention the girl’s age.

“‘It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong,’ Morris said in a statement. ‘In March 1987, this situation was brought to light and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father. They asked me to resign from the ministry and accept counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area.'”

“Clemishire says she told her story for years and tried to sue Morris in 2005, but her actions did not attract much attention.

“She says a pastor recently advised her to share her story with The Wartburg Watch, a blog that raises awareness of cases of alleged sexual abuse in the church. The website published Clemishire’s report on Friday.”

To read the full WFAA story, click HERE.