Howard Temple Resigns as Gloriavale Leader After Guilty Plea

Howard Temple, the leader of the Gloriavale Christian Community, has resigned following his guilty plea to multiple charges of indecent assault. The 85-year-old former leader was succeeded by Stephen Standfast, who had been designated for the role for several years. Temple’s resignation was confirmed by the community in a statement released on Tuesday.

Temple faced serious charges, including five counts of indecent assault, five of committing an indecent act, and two of common assault. These admissions came just days into a judge-alone trial in Greymouth last month, where he was on bail awaiting sentencing. The former US Navy engineer had been serving as the Overseeing Shepherd since 2018, following the death of the community’s founder, Hopeful Christian.

In their statement, the Gloriavale community noted Temple’s efforts to implement policies aimed at child safety and workplace health. “Mr Standfast, 48, has spent several years now working with outside agencies to support ongoing changes for safety and well-being,” the statement read.

Reactions and Context Following Temple’s Conviction

Following Temple’s conviction, former Gloriavale member Virginia Courage provided insight into his dual persona. She described him as generally well-liked, saying, “Howard is viewed as a very nice, gentle person – very respectful to women.” However, she emphasized a stark contrast between his personal demeanor and his role as the Overseeing Shepherd, which she referred to as his “cult persona.”

Barrister Brian Henry weighed in on Temple’s situation, asserting that the community’s leaders might portray the charges as “lies of the system.” Nevertheless, Temple’s guilty plea distinguishes him from other community leaders who have faced criminal charges but denied wrongdoing. “This time he has admitted it; he’s pleaded guilty to charges which expressly state he had intent to sexually abuse these girls,” Henry stated. He characterized Temple as a key figure within Gloriavale, indicating that he played a significant role in establishing the environment that led to the abuse.

Temple’s resignation comes on the heels of a public apology he delivered in January on behalf of the church for the abuse that occurred within the community from 1950 to 1999. This apology followed recommendations from a Royal Commission of Inquiry, which urged the government to take measures to ensure the safety of Gloriavale members and their children. The commission found that leaders had facilitated both physical and sexual abuse within the community.

Legal Challenges and Allegations Against Gloriavale

In recent months, Gloriavale has faced mounting scrutiny, including a multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit filed against the community and five government agencies. Former members claim they were subjected to conditions akin to slavery from birth. This lawsuit was prompted by findings from the Royal Commission, which revealed systemic failures to protect vulnerable individuals.

Additionally, separate High Court actions allege that five government agencies knowingly permitted abuse to continue within Gloriavale. Landmark rulings in the Employment Court during 2022 and 2023 determined that nine former members were employees rather than volunteers, which has significant implications for their rights and protections.

Police investigations into allegations of forced labor, slavery, and servitude at Gloriavale are ongoing, further complicating the community’s legal landscape. As the community grapples with these serious allegations, the transition in leadership may signal a pivotal moment for its future.