Gateway Church has issued a formal apology addressing past inaccurate statements related to a sexual abuse case involving their founder, Robert Morris.
The church’s apology came after a series of publicly issued statements that were ultimately criticized for mischaracterizing the nature of the abuse committed by Morris and the victim’s age.
During the service, Tra Willbanks, a senior elder at Gateway Church, took to the podium to attempt to offer Cindy Clemishire an honest apology.
Clemishire, who first reported the abuse in June, alleged that Morris sexually abused her over a 5-year timespan, starting when she was just 12 years old, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Past statements from Gateway Church had referred to the abuse as an “inappropriate relationship,” and Morris had described it as a “moral failure” involving a “young lady.” Such language was condemned as completely inadequate, inaccurate, and insensitive due to Clemishire being a young child during the alleged sexual assault crimes.
“We are sorry for our initial communication, which was clearly incorrect. You were a child, not a young lady. Additionally, two weeks ago, Gateway released a statement saying that this was an ‘inappropriate relationship.’ This statement was not correct either,” said Willbanks.
Willbanks also addressed recent developments within the church’s leadership.
James Morris, the church’s recently appointed successor and family member of the accused Robert Morris, and his wife, Bridgette Morris, have resigned from their positions. Their resignations, effective immediately, come amid the ongoing fallout from the scandal, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The couple appeared before the congregation to express their gratitude for their time at Gateway Church. James emphasized their continued faith in the church’s mission while Bridgette reflected on the transition as a time for new beginnings.
“I feel like it’s the ending of one season for us and the beginning of a new one. So, the Lord is giving us vision for the future. But we do grieve. Grieve not being here with you,” Bridgette added.
In addition to the public apology and leadership changes, Willbanks announced that Gateway Church will release the findings of an independent review conducted by Haynes & Boone, a law firm hired to investigate the church’s handling of the allegations, reported DMN.
Boz Tchividjian, Clemishire’s attorney, acknowledged the apology but called for more direct engagement with his client.
“Public apologies by institutions are easy as they are celebrated by the public while not requiring personal and often difficult engagement with the victim,” Tchividjian told DMN.
“To this day, there are still too many unanswered questions that Gateway must answer if it is committed to the truth about Robert Morris, the offenses he has committed and the leaders who protected him. We remain hopeful these questions will be answered and that there will be a day that Gateway will demonstrate authentic repentance to Cindy Clemishire for keeping the truth hidden in darkness for so many years,” Tchividijan added.
In response, Gateway Church has enlisted the help of prominent figures in the Christian community.
Max Lucado, a San Antonio pastor and author, will serve as interim teaching pastor, while Joakim Lundqvist, a Swedish pastor, will take on a pastoral role with staff and share preaching duties with Lucado, per DMN.
“We’re feeling at once the twin emotions of sadness over what has brought us here and yet excitement over what is about to happen,” Lucado said.
Lucado did not respond to DX‘s request for comment.
DX also reached out to Gateway Church multiple times a response to Tchividjian’s call for sincere penitence but did not receive a reply.
