Texas megachurch pastor Robert Morris, whoĀ Donald Trump once named as a spiritual adviser to his administration, announced he was stepping down from Gateway Church amid allegations he molested a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s.
The resignation comes days after Morris, 62, seemingly admitted to molesting the girl in a statement toĀ The Christian Post.Ā In that statement, he conceded that he engaged in āinappropriate sexual behaviorā with a āyoung ladyā when he was already married with a child in his early 20s.
Morris didnāt mention the girlās ageābut his alleged victim, Cindy Clemishire, told the religious watchdog blogĀ The Wartburg Watch on Friday that she was only 12 when she was first sexually abused by Morris on Christmas Day in 1982. She claimed that he invited her into the room he was staying in at her family home during a visit, and touched her inappropriately on her breasts and āunder her panties.ā
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There isnāt now, but there was then. He isnāt likely to face any charges. Civil trial is more possible, but still difficult.
He sexually assaulted a 12 year old over and over for years, became a millionaire pastor, and now is retiring while his church does damage control, āboth sideingā their support for both him and his victim. The church leaders claim they ājust didnāt knowā how young she was when he was assaulting her, even though hes been publically talking about his "redemption for his sin " for 30yrs+.
As usual with church sexual abuse, everyone walks away unscathed but the victim, who takes all the pain and has to deal with all the shame.