LITHONIA, Ga. — Megachurch leader Bishop Eddie Long announced Sunday he’s taking time off to focus on his family after his wife filed for divorce.
Long’s spokesman, Art Franklin, said the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church leader told his congregation during church services that he will continue to serve as senior pastor at the church in Lithonia, just outside Atlanta. But Long said he needs a sabbatical.
Franklin declined to say how long the pastor’s sabbatical from the church would be. He said Long and his family “are asking for privacy and sensitivity to their family.”
Long’s wife, Vanessa Long, filed a petition for divorce Thursday in DeKalb County Superior Court to end her 21-year marriage to the embattled minister. The church sent out a media release Friday morning saying Vanessa Long planned to withdraw her petition, but her attorney said later in the day that she had changed her mind.
The split comes more than a year after allegations last year that Eddie Long used his lavish lifestyle and position of spiritual authority to lure four young men into sexual relationships. Eddie Long settled the cases but has never admitted to any wrongdoing.
Details of the settlements were not disclosed.
The allegations attracted national attention, took a toll on Long’s reputation and distracted from his international ministry.
The Longs were married March 10, 1990. The couple has three children together and has another child from Eddie Long’s previous marriage.
