Posted on 08/02/2025 6:30:17 AM PDT by Morgana
The leader of the secretive Gloriavale Christian Community on New Zealand’s South Island, Howard Temple, 85, has pleaded guilty to 12 charges of indecency and sexual assault against young members of the group, according to an AP report.
Founded in 1969 by traveling fundamentalist evangelist Neville Cooper, who was later arrested and jailed for multiple sex crimes, the isolated commune of over 500 members is nearly self-sufficient and located in one of New Zealand’s most remote areas.
Often compared to the Amish for its strict dress code, large families, and rigid gender roles, Gloriavale has faced allegations of widespread sexual abuse, even as members are prohibited from reporting crimes to outside authorities.
Following Cooper’s death, Howard Temple became the leader and he continued in his predecessor’s deviant footsteps.
Temple admitted guilt in a plea deal to five counts of indecent assault, five counts of committing an indecent act, and two counts of common assault against multiple women, aged nine to twenty, over a span two decades
He faces sentencing in August, with indecent assault carrying up to seven years in prison.
Commune? Yes. Christian? Not even close.
Sounds like perverts wanting to hide behind the name “Gloriavale Christian Community”.
Pervs. It always starts with not keeping it in their pants.
It isn’t *Christian*.
God will hold them accountable for smearing His name like that and using it to justify sin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.