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Daystar Television Cuts Ties with Robert Morris After Sex Abuse Allegations

Daystar Television Cuts Ties with Robert Morris After Sex Abuse Allegations

The Texas-based Christian network Daystar Television has removed Gateway Church founder Robert Morris from all its programming in light of a woman’s allegation that he sexually abused her in the 1980s starting when she was 12 years old. 

“We are deeply grieved and saddened by the recent and very serious allegations against Pastor Robert Morris involving the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old minor. In light of these events and a recently released statement by Gateway’s Elders, Daystar’s leadership has made the decision to remove all of Pastor Robert Morris’ programming from our broadcasting schedule,” the network said in a statement released Tuesday on X.

“Daystar unequivocally condemns the actions described in these allegations and remains committed to upholding biblical values as outlined in the Word of God. As we navigate through this challenging situation, we extend our heartfelt support and prayers to all those impacted,” the network added.

According to The Christian Post, Morris’ programming appeared on the network daily except Saturday. His ministry was broadcast Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. EST, Thursdays at 10 p.m. EST, and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. EST.

Last Friday, Cindy Clemishire, a 54-year-old grandmother, alleged that Morris sexually abused her for four-and-a-half years in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12. After the allegation was brought to light, Morris stepped away from ministry in 1987 and returned two years later following a period of restoration. 

The Board of Elders at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, announced on Tuesday that Morris resigned as senior pastor but noted that he did not disclose that he had abused a 12-year-old girl because they assumed that she was an adult. Clemishire, however, disputed the church’s claim. 

“The leadership at Gateway received actual notice of this crime in 2005 when I sent an email directly to Robert Morris’ Gateway email address. Former Gateway elder Tom Lane received and responded to my email, acknowledging that the sexual abuse began on December 25, 1982, when I was 12 years old,” Clemishire said in a statement released Tuesday night by her attorney Boz Tchividjian.

“Again in 2007, my then attorney Gentner Drummond (the current Attorney General of Oklahoma) sent a letter to Robert Morris with the hope that he would help reimburse me for the thousands of dollars I had expended in counseling as a result of this abuse. His attorney acknowledged the dates as well and then attempted to blame me for the abuse,” she insisted. “At the very least, both the Gateway pastor and at least one elder had specific notice that I was sexually abused beginning when I was 12 years old. Gateway had the information but intentionally decided to embrace the false narrative Robert Morris wanted to believe.”

Morris was also dropped from being a part of former President Donald Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board, which he was previously featured prominently, according to a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign this week. 

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Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Robert Morris & ©Daystar.com/press-media - Image edited on Canva by SWN 

Milton QuintanillaMilton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.