Other religious organizations
Abuse cases at churches, ministries and religious bodies with major litigation or inquiries.
27 developments, 2017–2026, oldest first.
2017
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Channel 4 exposes abuse by evangelical camp leader John Smyth
Channel 4 reported decades-old allegations of violent abuse of young men by barrister John Smyth, linked to Christian camps, and a police investigation.
2018
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Bill Hybels steps down from Willow Creek after misconduct allegations
Hybels retired early weeks after a Tribune investigation reported allegations of inappropriate conduct with women, which he denied.
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Willow Creek lead pastor and elders resign over handling of Hybels allegations
The church's leadership stepped down, acknowledging they had mishandled the allegations.
2019
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Independent group finds allegations against Bill Hybels credible
An independent advisory group's report called the misconduct allegations credible and faulted church oversight.
2020
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Spa workers accuse Ravi Zacharias of misconduct; RZIM opens investigation
Former employees of spas co-owned by the late apologist alleged sexual harassment, prompting RZIM to hire a law firm.
2021
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Law firm report finds Ravi Zacharias engaged in sexual misconduct
An investigation commissioned by RZIM found extensive misconduct by Zacharias, who died in 2020, and the ministry apologized.
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Australian police charge Hillsong founder Brian Houston with concealing father's abuse
New South Wales police charged Houston with concealing a serious indictable offense involving abuse by his late father, Frank Houston.
2022
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Brian Houston steps aside as Hillsong global senior pastor ahead of trial
Houston stepped back from leadership while he prepared to contest the concealment charge.
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Brian Houston resigns from Hillsong after board findings on conduct with women
Houston resigned after the church disclosed two complaints about his conduct with women.
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Leaked Hillsong NYC report finds misconduct beyond Carl Lentz
An investigation commissioned by Hillsong described sexual misconduct and abuse of power at its New York church.
2023
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Brian Houston acquitted of concealing father's child sex abuse
A Sydney magistrate found Houston not guilty, ruling he had a reasonable excuse for not reporting.
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IHOPKC addresses investigation into abuse allegations against founder Mike Bickle
IHOPKC discussed its third-party investigation after allegations of clergy sexual abuse against Bickle surfaced.
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Mike Bickle admits unspecified past moral failures
Bickle acknowledged inappropriate behavior years earlier but did not address the specific abuse allegations.
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IHOPKC cuts ties with Mike Bickle
IHOPKC announced its permanent separation from its founder, citing the level of inappropriate behavior uncovered.
2024
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Bickle accused of abusing a 14-year-old before IHOPKC's founding
A new allegation involving a minor in the 1980s emerged as IHOPKC released investigation findings.
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Gateway Church founder Robert Morris resigns over child abuse allegation
Morris stepped down days after a woman publicly said he abused her beginning in 1982 when she was a child.
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Gateway Church removes elders after investigation into Morris case
Following a law firm investigation, Gateway dismissed several elders who knew of the accusations.
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Makin Review finds Church of England covered up John Smyth's abuse
The independent review concluded church officials knew of Smyth's abuse for decades and failed to report it, including after Archbishop Justin Welby was informed in 2013.
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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns over Smyth case
Welby resigned, saying he took personal responsibility for failures identified by the Makin Review.
2025
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Report details 17 cases of abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle
An investigative report found Bickle abused 17 women and girls and that staff protected him.
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General Synod repents of safeguarding failures after Makin Review
The Synod approved a motion acknowledging failures and committing to strengthen safeguarding practice.
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Former Archbishop George Carey among clergy facing disciplinary review over Smyth
The National Safeguarding Team sought permission to bring out-of-time disciplinary cases against ten clergy named in the review.
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Robert Morris indicted by Oklahoma grand jury on child sex abuse charges
An Osage County grand jury indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
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Robert Morris surrenders in Oklahoma, released on bond
Morris was booked, released on $50,000 bond and entered a not guilty plea.
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Seven clergy to face discipline over Smyth abuse failures
An independent judge allowed seven of the ten complaints to proceed, while Carey and two others faced no further action.
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Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges
Morris pleaded guilty and received a 10-year sentence with six months in jail, probation and sex offender registration.
2026
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Tribunal upholds complaint against priest who failed to report Smyth disclosure
A disciplinary tribunal found Canon Andrew Cornes neglected his duties by not reporting a 1982 disclosure and imposed a conditional discharge.