DALLAS — After an Oklahoma woman publicly accused Robert Morris of molesting her, the ex-Gateway Church pastor indicated he spent two years away from ministry seeking counselling and forgiveness.
"In March of 1987, the situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of," Morris said in a statement. "I submitted myself to the elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady's father. They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counselling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in that area."
"Two years later, in March of 1989, I stepped back into ministry," Morris continued.
But in his 2005 book "From Dream to Destiny," Morris wrote that he resumed working for a televangelist one month after "the Lord orchestrated the circumstances for me to step out of ministry."
Morris does not elaborate on those "circumstances" in his book.
Cindy Clemishire had accused him of molesting her from 1982 until 1987. The abuse allegedly began when Clemishire was 12 years old.
Clemishire says her father demanded Morris's removal from the pulpit.
In his book, Morris says God removed him from ministry to humble him because he'd been prideful.
"After a month of working nights as a security guard at Motel 6, I felt I had made great strides toward humility," Morris wrote. "I decided that perhaps I was ready to return to ministry. So I checked back with James Robison's ministry to see if they had any job postings. I was happy to discover that they needed a morning supervisor at their prayer center."
Morris later describes his job, praying with phone callers who'd dialed the prayer center.
Robison, once among the nation's most popular televangelists, released Saturday a taped statemen on the allegations against Morris. He says he did not know Clemishire's age until the story broke last week.
"I was stunned," Robison said, seated next to his wife. "I was aware Robert had had moral failure in his past, but I had no idea it was a crime involving a child. This is totally unacceptable. The way Robert handled it was absolutely incorrect. It was wrong."
Morris resigned as senior pastor of Gateway Church Wednesday, less than a week after The Wartburg Watch published Clemishire's story. The 54-year-old told WFAA she'd shared the story before, but it failed to generate attention.
"It just happens to be God's time, I think, for it to come to light," she said.
Sunday, her attorney shared partially-redacted emails she and Morris exchanged throughout 2005, months after Morris published "From Dream to Destiny."
"Men that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison," she wrote in September 2005. "Men who pastor churches that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison and pay punitive damages. You have not had to do either. I do not believe that is fair or right. You have had almost no consequences for your actions. I have suffered almost my entire life from the emotional damage you inflicted on me. If you want to know what I want, call me. Otherwise, I will proceed with what has been advised. Twenty-after you began destroying my life, I am still dealing with the pain and damage you caused. I want some type of restitution. Pray about it and call me."
Morris responded a few weeks later.
"Debbie and I really do care for you and we sincerely God's best for you," Morris wrote. "You see the blessings God has poured out on my life and conclude that it is because I have hidden my past. God does not work that way. He will not be mocked by deceit. I confessed my sins to you and your family 18 years ago and I have continued to share it with those who need to know as per the counsel of your father. I did what he asked me to do. I thought I obtained your forgiveness as well as your family's. If you desire to make this public, I am also willing to do so."
Near the conclusion of his message, Morris wrote, "My attorney advises that if I pay you any money under a threat of exposure, you could be criminally prosecuted and Debbie and I do not want that."
Clemishire continued to share her story, including on a public The Oprah Winfrey Show message board in 2009.