A Religious Community Cut Off From the World Forced Women Into Submission for Decades. Inside New Zealand’s Gloriavale Cult

The Gloriavale Christian Community, a secluded religious group in New Zealand, has once again come under scrutiny following the release of the Paramount+ documentary titled “Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal.” This three-part series delves into the inner workings of Gloriavale, a community established in 1969 by Neville Cooper, who adopted the name Hopeful Christian. This group, which now consists of around 600 members living communally, has been marked by allegations of sexual abuse, a history that has haunted it for decades.

Nestled in a remote region near Rangiora on the South Island, Gloriavale has drawn parallels to Gilead from Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” due to its rigid patriarchal structure. The community operates under strict rules, with members surrendering their individual rights and possessions upon joining. The process, described as “submitting,” requires potential members to relinquish their careers, personal opinions, and connections to the outside world, a place deemed “evil” by community leaders.

In Gloriavale, governance is firmly held by a group of men referred to as Shepherds. These leaders exercise total authority over community decisions, including significant matters such as marriage and finances. As outlined by religious historian Peter Lineham, the Shepherds are regarded as the mouthpiece of God, with their authority viewed as ultimately unquestionable by adherents.

The community’s approach to gender roles is equally rigid. Women follow a strict dress code, often wearing long dresses and head coverings, which are seen as symbols of their submission to male authority. Domestic responsibilities are divided along traditional lines, with women primarily tasked with homemaking and childbearing, while men take on leadership and financial roles. According to former community member Lilia Tarawa, having numerous children is not only encouraged but is a cornerstone of their way of life, with birth control being strictly forbidden.

Allegations of sexual abuse within Gloriavale have been a persistent issue, with reports indicating that at least 14 members have been convicted of various forms of abuse over the past three decades. High-profile cases include that of Hopeful Christian, who was convicted in 1994 for multiple counts of indecent assault and later returned to the community after serving only a fraction of his sentence. More recently, a member named Jonathan Benjamin received an 11-year prison sentence for sexual offences against multiple victims within the group.

While many individuals remain within Gloriavale, a significant number have managed to escape its confines in recent years. The Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust, led by Liz Gregory, has been instrumental in aiding former members as they start anew outside the community. Gregory describes an ongoing wave of individuals leaving, often with little more than the clothes on their back. Some escapees like Tarawa and Phil Cooper, who is a grandson of the founder, have begun to speak out publicly about their experiences.

Despite the challenges it faces, Gloriavale continues to exist and function today under new leadership. Following Hopeful Christian’s passing in 2018, Howard Temple took the helm but was later arrested in 2023 on serious charges involving indecency and assault against minors. Although he did not serve time in prison, he was given 11 months of home detention. Following Temple’s departure, Stephen Standfast took over as the new overseeing shepherd.

The future of Gloriavale is uncertain, as voices calling for its dissolution grow louder. Some argue for the community’s right to self-determination, while others hope its end is inevitable as more atrocities come to light. “As more stories are told, as people leave, depending on how the court cases go, Gloriavale will come to its natural end,” Tarawa speculates.

The documentary “Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal” provides an unflinching look at life within Gloriavale, inviting viewers to witness firsthand the complexities and controversies surrounding a community that has remained largely hidden from the public eye for decades. As the dialogue around Gloriavale continues, the world watches closely to see how the revelations may reshape the community’s future.