There’s concern that Howard Temple will stay on as Gloriavale’s leader, despite admitting to abuse against girls and young women.
On Wednesday, the 85-year-old grandfather pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault, five of doing an indecent act, and two of common assault.
He had earlier denied 24 charges of sexual offending over more than two decades during his trial at the Greymouth District Court.
Temple refused to answer questions as he left the court. He was remanded on bail until August 11, when a date will be set for sentencing.
Brian Henry, who has represented men and women who have left Gloriavale, told 1News that he expects Temple to stay in the top job.
“He will stay in. He is the absolute God in that community, and he’s got to be seen as someone who has utter dominance of everybody in that community, and I mean utter dominance.
“He snaps his fingers, and they say, ‘Yes, sir, how high do we jump?’
Temple helped establish Gloriavale in the 1960s, alongside convicted sex offender Hopeful Christian, who was the founder and the first Overseeing Shepherd.
The group claimed to live a practical Christian life that mirrors life in Heaven, “where there is perfect obedience to God, complete unity of thought, no self-will, no argument or strife, and no sin”, Henry said.
He disputed that Gloriavale is a Christian organisation.
He said the leadership is destroying people’s belief in Christianity, and the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon needed to act.
“It’s not Christian to play with little girls, it’s not Christian to be a sexual predator.
“How can the government not do something about this organisation?
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“It’s been there now for 50 years, and you have 50 years of little girls as victims, 50 years Prime Minister, do something about it now,” said Henry.
Current and former Gloriavale residents have mixed views about whether Temple will stay on, with some believing Stephen Standfast will soon take over.
Standfast moved to Gloriavale with his family when he was a young boy and was picked by Temple to take the reins in the future.
Standfast has a wife and 10 children, and has worked as a teacher, Gloriavale’s farm manager, and has overseen the development of a new commune at Lake Brunner.
Last month, he moved back to Gloriavale, which sources have told 1News means he’s preparing for power.
Gloriavale servant Peter Righteous was supporting Temple in court, but once convicted, said the group had no comment.
Judge Raoul Neave urged Temple to take part in the restorative justice process.
