Abuse survivor appeals to Texas Supreme Court

Cindy Clemishire is asking the Texas Supreme Court to reverse a dismissal of her defamation lawsuit against former Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris and church leaders.

Appeals court dismissed defamation claims

A Dallas appeals court ruled that First Amendment protections for religious freedom prevent civil courts from interfering with internal church governance, dismissing nearly all of Clemishire's claims.

Morris pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse

In October 2024, Robert Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of child sexual abuse against Clemishire, who was 12 when the abuse began in the 1980s and lasted about four and a half years.

Morris served six months in prison

Morris was sentenced to a 10-year suspended sentence and served six months in Osage County jail before being released in March. He is now a registered sex offender on probation.

Clemishire's defamation claims stem from statements

Her lawsuit targets statements about Morris's misconduct and Gateway's alleged mishandling of its investigation into the abuse that occurred decades ago.

Clemishire demands courthouse doors stay open

Clemishire stated that religious freedom should protect faith, not those who abuse children or shield them from accountability. She said survivors deserve their day in court regardless of the institution involved.

“Religious freedom should protect our faith. It should never protect those who abuse children or those who help shield them from accountability.”

Morris's lawyer defends the apology

Bill Mateja argues that Morris and Gateway took ownership and apologized in good faith, and that turning the apology into a defamation claim cheapens what an apology means.

“Turning that apology into an argument for defamation liability cheapens what an apology is supposed to mean.”

Gateway Church initially concealed victim's age

The church's board of elders said they were unaware that the young lady Morris mentioned in his earlier admission was only 12 years old when the abuse occurred.

Texas Supreme Court will decide religious limits

The case will test whether religious freedom protections can shield churches from civil defamation lawsuits, a decision that could affect how abuse survivors pursue accountability against religious institutions.