Woman sues church over abuse statements

Cindy Clemishire is asking the Texas Supreme Court to review her defamation lawsuit against Gateway Church and former pastor Robert Morris after an appeals court dismissed nearly all her claims.

Appeals court invokes religious freedom doctrine

The Fifth District Court of Appeals ruled that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, rooted in First Amendment protections, prevents civil courts from reviewing Gateway's internal investigation and statements about it.

Clemishire was never a church member

Clemishire's attorneys argue the religious freedom doctrine should not apply because she was never a Gateway member and the statements were made publicly, not internally.

Gateway's statement minimized the abuse

In June 2024, Gateway acknowledged Morris's misconduct but described the victim as a "young lady." Clemishire says this language minimized child sexual abuse that occurred when she was 12 years old.

“young lady”

State rep backs the appeal

Texas state Rep. Jeff Leach, who represents Clemishire and is her attorney, said religious liberty cannot mean religious immunity and that protecting a predator is not theology.

“Religious liberty cannot mean religious immunity”

Morris pleaded guilty in criminal case

Morris pleaded guilty in October 2025 to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child in Oklahoma. He was sentenced to ten years with six months in jail and released in March 2026.

Church says apology shouldn't be liability

Gateway's attorney argues that the church's apology and acknowledgment of abuse should not create defamation liability, and that the Supreme Court will decide based on law.

Supreme Court must decide next step

The Texas Supreme Court must first decide whether to accept Clemishire's petition. If it does, the case will proceed with legal briefing and potentially oral arguments before the justices.