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Bishop Eddie L. Long, Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Dies at 63 Bishop Eddie L. Long, Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Dies at 63
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Bishop Eddie L. Long, the flamboyant megachurch pastor whose reputation was tarnished after former congregants accused him of sexual misconduct, died on Sunday. He was 63.Bishop Eddie L. Long, the flamboyant megachurch pastor whose reputation was tarnished after former congregants accused him of sexual misconduct, died on Sunday. He was 63.
The cause was cancer, his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., said in a statement. The statement did not say where he died.The cause was cancer, his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., said in a statement. The statement did not say where he died.
Bishop Long had been the senior pastor since 1987 at New Birth Missionary Baptist, a 10,000-seat church in Lithonia, a suburb of Atlanta. The church said it grew from 300 members to more than 25,000 under his leadership, operating television and international ministries and building satellite churches in several cities, including Miami, Denver and Charlotte, N.C.Bishop Long had been the senior pastor since 1987 at New Birth Missionary Baptist, a 10,000-seat church in Lithonia, a suburb of Atlanta. The church said it grew from 300 members to more than 25,000 under his leadership, operating television and international ministries and building satellite churches in several cities, including Miami, Denver and Charlotte, N.C.
Bishop Long was known for preaching a “prosperity gospel,” which said the faithful would be rewarded with wealth. He himself flew around the world on a private jet, drove a $350,000 Bentley and lived in a $1.4 million house.Bishop Long was known for preaching a “prosperity gospel,” which said the faithful would be rewarded with wealth. He himself flew around the world on a private jet, drove a $350,000 Bentley and lived in a $1.4 million house.
In 2006, President George W. Bush and former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush attended the funeral of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at Bishop Long’s church.In 2006, President George W. Bush and former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush attended the funeral of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at Bishop Long’s church.
But four years later, scandal erupted when four young men filed lawsuits accusing Bishop Long of sexual misconduct. His lifestyle was a focal point of the suits, which accused him of persuading the men to have sexual relationships with him in exchange for trips, clothes and cars.But four years later, scandal erupted when four young men filed lawsuits accusing Bishop Long of sexual misconduct. His lifestyle was a focal point of the suits, which accused him of persuading the men to have sexual relationships with him in exchange for trips, clothes and cars.
Two of the men accused Bishop Long — an outspoken opponent of gay rights and same-sex marriage — of grooming them for sexual relationships through the church’s LongFellows Youth Academy. The other two, one of whom attended a satellite church in Charlotte, made similar allegations.Two of the men accused Bishop Long — an outspoken opponent of gay rights and same-sex marriage — of grooming them for sexual relationships through the church’s LongFellows Youth Academy. The other two, one of whom attended a satellite church in Charlotte, made similar allegations.
Eight months later, Bishop Long settled the cases out of court for an undisclosed amount. (People with knowledge of the proceedings said it was for several million dollars, paid over a period of years.) He never admitted any wrongdoing. While some members of his congregation changed their opinion of him, many others continued to rally around him. Eight months later, Bishop Long settled the cases out of court for an undisclosed amount. He never admitted any wrongdoing. While some members of his congregation changed their opinion of him, many others continued to rally around him.
Bishop Long was born on May 12, 1953, in Huntersville, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa Long; four children, Eric, Edward, Jared and Taylor; and three grandchildren.Bishop Long was born on May 12, 1953, in Huntersville, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa Long; four children, Eric, Edward, Jared and Taylor; and three grandchildren.