Pastor Tommy Moya Resigns Amidst Scandal. Hey, This Sounds Familiar!

Pastor Tommy Moya, a well-liked televangelist and author working in Orange County, Florida, has stepped down from his position at Centro Cristiano Restauración following an affair with a churchgoer. Both Moya and the woman with whom he had an affair are married to other church members. It must be lonely, being both incredibly pious and a beloved media figure. 

After being caught, Moya addressed his congregation at a special Mothers’ Day mass, announcing he was leaving his position and asking them for forgiveness. The church’s governing board will now run both the church as well as all of Tommy Moya International Ministries. 

Why is it that men (and, in some rare cases, women) in the public eye who have devoted themselves to God decide to pursue affairs? One OrlandoSentinel.com poster shares his take on the matter:

Fame is an enemy of the calling. Pastors are not called to be famous; all the recognition must be to Jesus and His Gospel. But, sadly, the gospel has turned into show business, and many pastors are acting like rock stars instead of servants of God.

We’d be inclined to agree and add that fame is an enemy to any calling or vocation, making people feel untouchable. Pastor Moya, after all, is but one in a long string of religious men who have been embroiled in public scandals involving sex:

Father Alberto Cutié

This charismatic Catholic priest developed a huge following among Latinos through his television and radio series. His affair with a Miami business woman was revealed after the two were photographed embracing and kissing on a Florida beach. Cutié is currently considering joining the Anglican church and perhaps looking into online dating. 

Former Bishop Fernando Lugo 

The current president of Paraguay was once a Catholic Bishop. A job with a lot of perks, to be sure, including the opportunity to develop an ego that allows you to sleep with as many impoverished, desperate women as possible without fear of repercussion. 

Jim Bakker 

Popular televangelist Jim Bakker stepped down from his company, PTL, amid allegations that he had raped and then paid off a woman named Jessica Hahn. Jim’s ex-wife, the late Tammy Faye Bakker, says Jerry Falwell had threatened to reveal the affair in order to usurp Bakker’s position as head of PTL. The affair inspired a fabulous made-for-TV movie. 

Tony Alamo

FBI agents raided  Tony Alamo Christian Ministries headquarters in 2008 following allegations of child pornography, physical abuse, sexual abuse and allegations of polygamy and underage marriage within the church. He once also kicked a puppy. 

Ted Haggard

Haggard resigned as head of New Life Church after it was revealed that he had visited and purchased meth from male prostitutes. Because what’s an affair if not a chance to bump  raging meth boners? 

Pope Alexander VI

This Spanish pope, who was born Roderic Llançol de Borja i Borja, takes the cake and sticks a peepee in it as far as kinky abuses of religious power go. Pope Alex has a number of mistresses and was even accused of committing incest with his daughter, Lucrezia. You best be sure that if TV was around in Pope Alex’s time, he’d have his own reality dating show involving sexy nuns and unspeakable acts committed in a confessional. 

Pastor Moya: Tommy Moya’s resignation, confession, leaves congregation reeling [Orlando Sentinel]