Leader of secretive Christian commune admits abusing young members

July 31, 2025: | Premier Christian News | Mitti Hicks | The leader of an isolated and conservative New Zealand commune has pleaded guilty to half of the 24 indecent assault charges he faced against nine female complainants.   Howard Temple, 85, is accused of abusing members of the Gloriavale commune between the…

Concern Howard Temple will remain Gloriavale leader, despite guilty pleas

July 31, 2025: | 1News | Ryan Boswell | 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.…

Gloriavale leader Howard Temple pleads guilty to indecency charges

July 30, 2025: | RNZ | Keiller MacDuff | This story has been amended to correct the charges. Gloriavale leader Howard Temple has pleaded guilty to a dozen charges including five of indecent assault on day three of his trial in Greymouth. The West Coast Christian community’s Overseeing Shepherd had earlier denied 24…

The leader of a secretive New Zealand commune admits abusing young church members

July 30, 2025: | Associated Press | Charlotte Graham-McLay | WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The leader of an isolated and conservative Christian commune in New Zealand pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a dozen indecency and assault charges against women and girls who were members of the religious group. The admission of guilt from Howard Temple came…

Gloriavale leader Howard Temple ‘did not grope’, lawyer says

July 29, 2025: | RNZ | Keiller MacDuff | The Greymouth District Court will hear more evidence from women accusing Gloriavale leader Howard Temple of sexual offending on Tuesday, as the judge alone trial continues. Temple is facing 24 charges of indecent assault and doing an indecent act to nine women who ranged in age…

Gloriavale leader Howard Temple ‘caressed and kissed’ girls serving food

July 29, 2025: | The Press | Joanne Naish | A woman says Gloriavale leader Howard Temple kissed her on the neck when she was about 13 and held her tightly for 10 minutes after she told him she did not like the kisses. Temple, the “Overseeing Shepherd” at the West Coast Christian…