Cindy Clemishire claims megachurch Pastor Robert Morris began sexually abusing her when she was 12 years old.
The Wartburg Watch first reported the alleged abuse where Clemishire says she was only 12 when the abuse began. She claims that it lasted for four-and-a-half years afterward.
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Clemishire says the alleged abuse began on Christmas Day in 1982. She says Morris asked her to come into his room that night as the Morris family was spending time with hers for a visit. It was then that Clemishire alleges that Morris began inappropriately touching her and did so until March of 1987.
According to the Wartburg Watch, Clemishire says Morris told her, “Never tell anyone about this because it will ruin everything.”
Clemishire says she discussed the abuse with a friend who told her she needed to tell her parents about the situation. Clemishire’s father reported Morris to the lead pastor of Shady Grove Church. The Wartburg Watch states:
“He demanded that Morris get out of ministry, or he would call the sheriff. Morris reportedly stepped down from ministry for two years.”
In an interview with WFAA, Clemishire says that her story “is gut wrenching when I read it on paper, and I’ve been sharing for years. So, it just happens to be God’s time I think for it to come to light.”
Clemishire also questions the validity of Morris’ apology for the situation.
“He didn’t come forward and confess,” Clemishire told WFAA. “He was turned in. And when someone’s turned in, what are they sorry for? Are they sorry because they got caught or are they truly repentant of what they did?”
Clemishire says that her family forgave Morris for his actions, but that they never gave him a blessing to return to ministry, something Morris claims that he received from her family.
In a statement to the Christian Post, Clemishire said:
“My father never ever gave his blessing on Robert returning to ministry. My father told him he’s lucky he didn’t kill him. I am mortified that he is telling the world my dad gave his blessing. Of course, we forgive because we are called to biblically forgive those who sin against us. But that does not mean he is supposed to go on without repercussions.”
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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
