Recap: Bishop Long Scandal
Get a recap of all the developments in the Bishop Long Get a recap of all the developments in the Bishop Long scandal here.
1 / 12
The Suit - Bishop Eddie Long, head of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, was initially accused of sexual coercion by two young men. Two more young men later came forward. The men claimed that Long used his position of authority in the church to coerce them into sexual relationships and gain psychological control over them.
2 / 12
Background - Bishop Eddie Long has been with New Birth Missionary since 1987. The church has grown from 150 members to the 25,000-person congregation that it boasts today. Long is married with four children.
3 / 12
The Allegations - The suit, filed in DeKalb County, Georgia, alleges that Long engaged the men in “intimate sexual contact” and created his own spiritual ceremony in which the boys became his “spiritual sons.”
4 / 12
Another Motive? - Before the plaintiffs filed suit, one of the men, Maurice Robinson, was arrested for burglarizing Bishop Eddie Long’s office in apparent retaliation for his abuse. Stolen items included jewelry, high-end electronics and an iPad, which Long later used during the sermon in which he denied the sexual abuse allegations.
5 / 12
His Stance on Gay Rights - Considered one of the most anti-gay pastors in the country, Long once called homosexuality a “spiritual abortion.” In 2004, Long led a parade of thousands of people through the streets of Atlanta in protest of gays and same-sex marriage.
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 12
The Accusers - Jamal Parris,23, Spencer LeGrande, 22, Maurice Robinson,20, and 21-year-old Anthony Flagg (pictured) allege that Bishop Eddie Long baited them into a sexual relationship by giving them lavish gifts, money and taking them on trips around the world with him. At the time, Long served as New Birth Missionary’s youth pastor, and allegedly made the men call him “Daddy.”
7 / 12
The Official Statement - Art Franklin, Long’s spokesman, immediately came out to deny the case. He told media in a written statement that, "We categorically deny the allegations...It is very unfortunate that someone has taken this course of action."
8 / 12
The Photos - These photos were allegedly sent from Long’s phone to the accusers.
9 / 12
Speaking to His Church - Bishop Long finally took to the pulpit on Sunday Sept. 26 with a new message, and a new hairpiece. With fervor and conviction, the bishop told the congregation, “I am not the man that’s being portrayed on the television, that’s not me.” And to a standing ovation from over 25,000 listeners continued, “I feel like David against Goliath, but I got five rocks, and haven’t thrown one yet.”
10 / 12
New Confidence - On Tuesday, Bishop Long took to the pulpit a second time, this time surreptitiously making references to the case, telling his congregation that they’re in “spiritual warfare.”
ADVERTISEMENT
11 / 12
Speaking Out - "That man cannot look me in my eye and tell me we did not live this pain... You are not a man, you are a monster,” said Jamal Parris, one of the four alleged victims abused at the hands of Bishop Eddie Long. Parris spoke to a local Atlanta TV reporter after Long took to the pulpit to deny any wrongdoing in the case.