The pastor of a megachurch in the US state of Texas said on Tuesday (Jun 18) that he had resigned after admitting to sexually abusing a child in the 1980s. This was after a woman had recently come forward publicly with her account and said that Robert Morris, a senior pastor, had sexually abused her on multiple occasions when she was 12 years old.&nbsp;

<h2>About Morris’ resignation</h2>

The Dallas-based Gateway church, in a statement, said that they had accepted Morris’ resignation and would conduct an independent review to make sure they “have a complete understanding of the events” from 1982 to 1987.

Morris, the church’s senior pastor and founder, was also one of former US President Donald Trump’s ex-spiritual advisers. The now-former pastor used to preach to more than 100,000 active attendees.&nbsp;

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.

<h2>What are the allegations against him?</h2>

In an interview, on Saturday (Jun 15), Cindy Clemishire,&nbsp;Morris' accuser&nbsp;told The Dallas Morning News that she had met him in 1981 when he was a travelling preacher and began preaching at her family’s church in the US state of Oklahoma.&nbsp;

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Clemishire, now 54, alleged that Morris was staying at her house with his wife and son, in 1982.&nbsp;During this time, he asked her to come to his room, told her to lay on his bed and then began touching her inappropriately.&nbsp;

She said that the abuse continued for around four and a half years. Clemishire told USA Today that she was 12 and Morris was 21 when he started molesting her and that she was no longer afraid.

Morris’ accuser told the Christian Post, a religious publication, that while she had forgiven the pastor for the sexual abuse, she believed that he should not have returned to ministry.&nbsp;

<h2>What did Morris say?</h2>

Morris, 62, on Saturday (Jun 15) told Christian Post that he was “involved in inappropriate sexual behaviour” with a girl he inaccurately referred to as “a young lady”.&nbsp;

“It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong,” the now-former pastor said, adding that the “behaviour happened on several occasions over the next few years.”

He also said that he had confessed his behaviour to the church back in 1987.&nbsp;

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However, the Gateway Church, in a statement said it “did not have all of the facts of the inappropriate relationship between Morris and the victim, including her age at the time and the length of the abuse.”&nbsp;

It added that they knew about his “extramarital relationship” which was discussed “many times” throughout his ministry but not that it was “abuse of a 12-year-old child.”

Notably, Morris was appointed to Trump’s evangelical advisory board for his 2016 presidential campaign and even participated in a roundtable discussion with the former president in 2020.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The pastor of a megachurch in the US state of Texas said on Tuesday (Jun 18) that he had resigned after admitting to sexually abusing a child in the 1980s. This was after a woman had recently come forward publicly with her account and said that Robert Morris, a senior pastor, had sexually abused her on multiple occasions when she was 12 years old.

The pastor of a megachurch in the US state of Texas said on Tuesday (Jun 18) that he had resigned after admitting to sexually abusing a child in the 1980s. This was after a woman had recently come forward publicly with her account and said that Robert Morris, a senior pastor, had sexually abused her on multiple occasions when she was 12 years old. About Morris’ resignation The Dallas-based Gateway church, in a statement, said that they had accepted Morris’ resignation and would conduct an independent review to make sure they “have a complete understanding of the events” from 1982 to 1987. Morris, the church’s senior pastor and founder, was also one of former US President Donald Trump’s ex-spiritual advisers. The now-former pastor used to preach to more than 100,000 active attendees. Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised. What are the allegations against him? In an interview, on Saturday (Jun 15), Cindy Clemishire, Morris' accuser told The Dallas Morning News that she had met him in 1981 when he was a travelling preacher and began preaching at her family’s church in the US state of Oklahoma. Also Read | New York’s top court refuses to hear Trump’s appeal of gag order in hush money case Clemishire, now 54, alleged that Morris was staying at her house with his wife and son, in 1982. During this time, he asked her to come to his room, told her to lay on his bed and then began touching her inappropriately. She said that the abuse continued for around four and a half years. Clemishire told USA Today that she was 12 and Morris was 21 when he started molesting her and that she was no longer afraid. Morris’ accuser told the Christian Post, a religious publication, that while she had forgiven the pastor for the sexual abuse, she believed that he should not have returned to ministry. What did Morris say? Morris, 62, on Saturday (Jun 15) told Christian Post that he was “involved in inappropriate sexual behaviour” with a girl he inaccurately referred to as “a young lady”. “It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong,” the now-former pastor said, adding that the “behaviour happened on several occasions over the next few years.” He also said that he had confessed his behaviour to the church back in 1987. Also Read | New Mexico wildfires: 1 dead, 1,400 structures damaged; emergency declared in Lincoln county However, the Gateway Church, in a statement said it “did not have all of the facts of the inappropriate relationship between Morris and the victim, including her age at the time and the length of the abuse.” It added that they knew about his “extramarital relationship” which was discussed “many times” throughout his ministry but not that it was “abuse of a 12-year-old child.” Notably, Morris was appointed to Trump’s evangelical advisory board for his 2016 presidential campaign and even participated in a roundtable discussion with the former president in 2020. (With inputs from agencies)

Pastor of Texas megachurch and ex-Trump adviser resigns after admitting he sexually abused 12-year-old girl

Leader of La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) church Naason Joaquin Garcia has pleaded guilty to allegations of child sexual abuse days before he is due to stand trial. The Light of the World is a huge church and has millions of members worldwide

Garcia has pleaded guilty to assault on young church members around Los Angeles for number of years.

"As the leader of La Luz del Mundo, Naason Joaquin Garcia used his power to take advantage of children," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

"He relied on those around him to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault."

According to prosecutors, Garcia (53) exploited his position and forced underage girls to commit sexual acts.

During the course of the investigation they alleged Garcia and his co-defendants had told victims that refusing to comply with his wishes would be acting against God.

Garcia had faced a raft of charges relating to alleged wrongdoing up to his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport in 2019.

The preacher, who was charged alongside two other church members, had been due to stand trial, starting on Monday.

But his guilty pleas to three counts mean he will now be sentenced next week, and is expected to face several years' jail.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Leader of La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) church Naason Joaquin Garcia has pleaded guilty to allegations of child sexual abuse days before he is due to stand trial.

Leader of La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) church Naason Joaquin Garcia has pleaded guilty to allegations of child sexual abuse days before he is due to stand trial. The Light of the World is a huge church and has millions of members worldwide Garcia has pleaded guilty to assault on young church members around Los Angeles for number of years. "As the leader of La Luz del Mundo, Naason Joaquin Garcia used his power to take advantage of children," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. "He relied on those around him to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault." According to prosecutors, Garcia (53) exploited his position and forced underage girls to commit sexual acts. During the course of the investigation they alleged Garcia and his co-defendants had told victims that refusing to comply with his wishes would be acting against God. Garcia had faced a raft of charges relating to alleged wrongdoing up to his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport in 2019. The preacher, who was charged alongside two other church members, had been due to stand trial, starting on Monday. But his guilty pleas to three counts mean he will now be sentenced next week, and is expected to face several years' jail. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Head of Mexican megachurch admits sexual abuse of children in US

Global megachurch Hillsong on Wednesday announced that Brian Houston, its co-founder, had resigned follwing complaints of impropriety made against him by two women.

The first complaint had to do with an "inappropriate text message" from Houston to a woman who worked in the church. This had led to the woman's resignation.

Church leadership said that at the time Houston "was under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence".

Second complaint was in relation to an incident involving an inebriated Houston entering a woman's hotel room during the megachurch's annual conference in 2019.&nbsp;

The church's board said Wednesday that "irrespective of the circumstances around" Houston's resignation, both he and his wife -- Hillsong's co-founder Bobbie Houston -- "have served God faithfully over many decades".

Founded by Brian and Bobbie in Sydney in the 1980s, Hillsong has grown from its Australian roots into a global megachurch, which claims an average weekly attendance of 150,000 people.

The church is known for its rock concert-style services that feature pop music and high-profile special guests, including Justin Bieber and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Houston's resignation from Hillsong comes as he readies to face trial over the charge that he covered up his father's alleged child sexual abuse.

Houston was charged last year with concealing information from police about child abuse by his father, Frank, who was also a pastor and died in 2004.

Frank Houston had been accused of sexually abusing a young boy while a preacher in the 1970s.

A royal commission in 2015 found the younger Houston was told about the allegations in 1999 but failed to report them to authorities, which sparked a police investigation into him.

Houston has pleaded not guilty and said it is his "intention to vigorously defend" himself against the charges. 
The trial is set to begin later this year.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Global megachurch Hillsong on Wednesday announced that Brian Houston, its co-founder, had resigned follwing complaints of impropriety made against him by two women.

Global megachurch Hillsong on Wednesday announced that Brian Houston, its co-founder, had resigned follwing complaints of impropriety made against him by two women. The first complaint had to do with an "inappropriate text message" from Houston to a woman who worked in the church. This had led to the woman's resignation. Church leadership said that at the time Houston "was under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence". Second complaint was in relation to an incident involving an inebriated Houston entering a woman's hotel room during the megachurch's annual conference in 2019. The church's board said Wednesday that "irrespective of the circumstances around" Houston's resignation, both he and his wife -- Hillsong's co-founder Bobbie Houston -- "have served God faithfully over many decades". Founded by Brian and Bobbie in Sydney in the 1980s, Hillsong has grown from its Australian roots into a global megachurch, which claims an average weekly attendance of 150,000 people. The church is known for its rock concert-style services that feature pop music and high-profile special guests, including Justin Bieber and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Houston's resignation from Hillsong comes as he readies to face trial over the charge that he covered up his father's alleged child sexual abuse. Houston was charged last year with concealing information from police about child abuse by his father, Frank, who was also a pastor and died in 2004. Frank Houston had been accused of sexually abusing a young boy while a preacher in the 1970s. A royal commission in 2015 found the younger Houston was told about the allegations in 1999 but failed to report them to authorities, which sparked a police investigation into him. Houston has pleaded not guilty and said it is his "intention to vigorously defend" himself against the charges. The trial is set to begin later this year. (With inputs from agencies)

Hillsong megachurch founder Brian Houston steps down, faces complaints of impropriety towards two women 

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