GATEWAY CHURCH SEEKS DISMISSAL OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT USING RELIGIOUS ABSTENTION DOCTRINE

Gateway Church in Texas is seeking the dismissal of a class action lawsuit using the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, while facing additional legal challenges stemming from leadership controversies.

The ecclesiastical abstention doctrine is a legal principle preventing civil courts from interfering in internal church governance, theological disputes, and religious decisions, based on the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom.

Gateway Church, one of America's largest megachurches with multiple campuses and tens of thousands of members, argues that courts lack jurisdiction over matters involving church leadership, internal discipline, and ecclesiastical governance.

The class action lawsuit follows the resignation of Gateway's founding pastor Robert Morris in June 2024 after allegations emerged that he had sexually abused a girl beginning when she was 12 years old in the 1980s.

Morris admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior" with the victim over several years but initially characterized it as "moral failure" rather than child sexual abuse, sparking outrage from advocates and church members.

Gateway Church has faced criticism for how leadership handled knowledge of Morris's past, with questions about whether elders knew about the abuse before elevating him to senior leadership positions.

The church now faces multiple lawsuits from members and former members alleging financial mismanagement, cover up of abuse, and breach of fiduciary duty by church leaders who failed to disclose Morris's history.

Gateway's legal strategy invokes religious liberty protections to argue that courts cannot second guess church decisions about hiring, disciplining, or removing clergy, even when those decisions involve allegations of criminal conduct.

Legal experts note that while ecclesiastical abstention protects churches from judicial interference in religious matters, it does not shield churches from liability for criminal acts, fraud, or violations of civil law.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Gateway Church wants courts to dismiss lawsuits because they are a church...

Religious liberty is not a shield for covering up child sexual abuse.

The ecclesiastical abstention doctrine protects churches from government interference in theology and governance.

It does not protect churches from accountability when leaders commit crimes.

Robert Morris admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior" with a 12 year old girl over multiple years.

That is not moral failure.

That is felony child sexual abuse.

Gateway elevated a child predator to senior pastor.

Either they knew and covered it up, or they failed to conduct basic background screening.

Both scenarios warrant legal accountability.

Invoking religious liberty to escape consequences for enabling abuse is spiritual malpractice disguised as constitutional rights.

The First Amendment protects churches from government dictating doctrine.

It does not protect churches from lawsuits when they harbor predators.

Gateway's legal strategy reveals leadership more concerned with institutional protection than victim justice.

Churches crying religious liberty while hiding abuse are why people hate Christianity.

They give ammunition to secularists who claim religion enables predators.

Gateway should confess, repent, compensate victims, and reform governance.

Not lawyer up and claim judicial immunity.

TAKE ACTION

1. Support abuse victims by donating to organizations like The Courage Conference providing counseling and advocacy for survivors of church sexual abuse. Visit courageconference.com to fund therapeutic support for those harmed by clergy predators.
2. Demand church accountability by contacting Gateway Church leadership at gatewaypeople.com urging transparency, victim compensation, and governance reforms preventing future cover ups. Press for independent investigation of who knew about Morris's abuse and when.
3. Advocate for legal reforms limiting misuse of ecclesiastical abstention doctrine to shield churches from abuse liability. Contact Texas legislators via capitol.texas.gov demanding laws clarifying that religious liberty does not exempt churches from criminal accountability.
4. Support GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) at netgrace.org or +1 (866) 637-2284. Fund independent investigations helping churches address abuse with biblical integrity rather than legal evasion and institutional self protection.
5. Examine your church's safeguarding policies for children and vulnerable adults. Demand background checks for all volunteers, mandatory abuse reporting training, and transparent processes for investigating allegations. Press for reforms prioritizing victim safety over institutional reputation.
6. Pray for abuse survivors traumatized by church leaders and legal strategies that prioritize protecting institutions over protecting victims. Pray for justice, healing, and courage for those speaking truth against powerful ministries weaponizing religious freedom claims.