Two decades before pastor Robert Morris publicly confessed to engaging in “sexual behavior” with a child and resigned from Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, his accuser, Cindy Clemishire, sought restitution through emails in 2005. Clemishire accused Morris of inflicting pain and damage on her as a child and asked for compensation. Morris acknowledged Clemishire’s pain and suffering but warned against seeking money under the threat of exposure, implying potential legal consequences. The emails also reveal Clemishire’s attempts to hold Morris accountable for the trauma she experienced as a child.
Clemishire recently went public with her allegations against Morris, saying that he molested her for years starting in 1982 when she was 12 years old. Despite the allegations, Morris has not faced criminal charges and did not respond to requests for comment. Gateway Church initially acknowledged Morris’ sexual encounters with a “young lady” but faced backlash from members and officials, leading to Morris’ resignation. Clemishire and her lawyer, Boz Tchividjian, believe Gateway elders should have investigated Morris’ account of a consensual relationship.
The emails from 2005 indicate that Gateway Church elder Tom Lane was aware of Clemishire contacting Morris and seeking compensation, but it is unclear if Lane knew about the abuse allegations. Clemishire was adamant about receiving restitution for the emotional damage she suffered, stating that Morris should not benefit from keeping their past a secret. Lane expressed sympathy for Clemishire’s suffering and emphasized the church’s commitment to healing, forgiveness, and restoration. However, Tchividjian questioned why church leaders accepted Morris’ narrative without seeking the truth regarding the alleged sexual offense against a minor.
Despite Clemishire’s efforts to reach out to Morris and seek some form of resolution, Morris did not respond to her requests for a meeting. Instead, Morris insisted that he had not benefited from keeping their past a secret and that God does not work that way. Clemishire’s attempts to obtain restitution from Morris ultimately led to public allegations against Morris and his subsequent resignation from Gateway Church. The church has initiated an investigation into the matter, and Clemishire’s lawyer continues to question why church elders did not further investigate Morris’ claims before accepting them.
The emails exchanged between Clemishire and Morris in 2005 shed light on a tumultuous chapter in Clemishire’s life, where she sought restitution for the emotional damage she endured as a child due to Morris’ alleged actions. Despite facing legal warnings and Morris’ refusal to meet with her, Clemishire persisted in her attempts to hold Morris accountable for the trauma she experienced. The unfolding of events in the wake of Clemishire’s public accusations against Morris has raised questions about the church’s handling of the situation and the importance of seeking the truth and accountability in cases of alleged abuse. Clemishire’s persistence in seeking justice serves as a testament to her resilience and determination to confront the past.
