Howard Temple has stepped down as Overseeing Shepherd. Photo: The Press/Kai Schwoerer
A former Gloriavale member says he's surprised to hear its disgraced leader has resigned.
Howard Temple has stepped down as Overseeing Shepherd after being convicted of sexual offending against girls and women at the secluded West Coast community.
Temple, 85, pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault, five of doing an indecent act and two of common assault just days into a judge-alone trial in Greymouth last month. He was on bail awaiting sentencing.
Temple became Overseeing Shepherd in 2018, after the death of the community's founder Hopeful Christian. He has been replaced by Stephen Standfast, aged 48.
John Ready was expelled from Gloriavale in 2017, after questioning the authority of the group's leadership.
He told RNZ he was surprised to hear of Temple's resignation, but Standfast had long been designated to take over the role.
John Ready was expelled from Gloriavale in 2017, after questioning the authority of the group's leadership. Photo: RNZ / Tim Brown
Ready said he didn't think a new leader would make a difference in the community.
"I just can't see it," he said.
"You can have all the best intentions, but the incentive structure [of the community] is pointing in the other direction, and they can't fight it."
Ready said the odds were against Standfast.
"I think Stephen will try hard, but I think that the principle, and the foundation of the place is against him," he said.
"I personally think it can't be beaten, and it will just continue, as long as Gloriavale continues it will have issues."
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