Protesters rally as new church led by son of accused Gateway Church founder Robert Morris opens in North Texas
A new North Texas church opened Saturday, led by James Morris, the son of Gateway Church founder Robert Morris.
The opening of Passage Church, located just a six-minute drive from Gateway, was met with protests due to the elder Morris facing child sexual abuse charges.
Protesters demand transparency
A group of protesters assembled outside Passage Church, in the 800 block of South Kimball Avenue, before its 4 p.m. service.
Valentina Hansen, one of the protestors, made her feelings clear.
"We're standing up for survivors of sexual abuse and assault, as it pertains to the church, and NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) need to have no place; they have no place in the church as it relates to abuse of a child," Hansen said.
Robert Morris charges
James Morris and his wife left Gateway Church last summer after the child sex abuse accusations against his father surfaced.
Last month, Robert Morris surrendered to authorities in Oklahoma and is facing five counts of sexually abusing a child. The woman at the center of the case, Cindy Clemishire, accuses the elder Morris of sexually abusing her back in the 1980s when she was 12 years old.
Church connection concerns
Protestors expressed concerns about the potential ties between Passage Church and Gateway Church.
"This raises even more concerns on whether the two churches have any ties," said one protester.
Passage Church told CBS News Texas the following:
"There are no ties between Gateway Church and Passage Church. We are a separate non-profit Church, and there are no connections between the two churches. The only 'connection' that we have is the same connection that we have with all Christian churches, which is that all churches are connected by being the Bride of Christ. The blood of Jesus connects us with all churches in the world that profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Outside of this, there is no connection relationally, governmentally, or financially. The only connection is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all that choose Him, and therefore, all Christian churches are our brothers and sisters in Christ."
Robert Morris' first court appearance is scheduled for May 9.
