According to church leader – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth – Gateway Church has fired four elders

Gateway Church has fired four of its elders after receiving results of an internal investigation into sexual abuse allegations against founder Robert Morris, a church leader announced Saturday.

Church elder Tra Willbanks announced the decision to the congregation during Saturday morning's service at the church's Southlake campus.

“There were two groups. One group knew without a doubt that Cindy was 12 years old when this abuse began, and a second group knew about the allegations of sexual abuse by Robert Morris, who had enough information to have raised more questions and to investigate further, but they didn't,” Willbanks said. “Both groups are fundamentally wrong and simply cannot and will not be tolerated at Gateway Church.”

Willbanks praised Cindy Clemishire, now 54, the woman who accused Morris of molesting her as a child, and condemned Morris with the strongest language the church has used since the allegations emerged.

Willbanks said the independent investigation by law firm Haynes Boone found no additional incidents of sexual abuse by Morris. He also explained the changes being made to the church's constitution and governance structure.

“We have decided to draw a very clear line here based on biblical and moral values ​​and the values ​​of our church family, and we can report to you that to date no person serves, is employed or employed as an elder in either group works at Gateway Church,” Willbanks said to applause from the megachurch audience.

Willbanks said the church is also cooperating with criminal investigations.