The scandalized New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has just issued a press release stating that the marriage between Bishop Eddie Long and his wife, Vanessa, remains intact.
All of Atlanta’s major news outlets are now broadcasting an official denial from the church about strife between the spouses, who married in 1990. Last month the mega-church pastor reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed amount of money with four young men who accused him of using his wealth and influence to coerce them into sexual activities.
New Birth, which once claimed as many as 25,000 active members, was accused of being a complicit entity in the civil suit.
The official statement issued Tuesday by Long’s mouthpiece, Art Franklin, reads as follows:
Despite a very public attack against New Birth Church and its leadership, New Birth has chosen not to respond to rumors but remain focused on fulfilling the mission that God has for the ministry.
However, in this new digital world, along with a steep decline in quality reporting, many people can't discern the difference between legitimate journalists and irresponsible bloggers. Recently, some blog entries have surfaced claiming to have anonymous sources stating that New Birth First Lady Elder Vanessa Long has left her husband. That claim is completely and absolutely false. Mrs. Long is very much a loving, dedicated and committed wife and mother.
It is unfortunate that anyone would make such hateful and damaging false claims of this nature. These cruel and insensitive rumors have the potential to cause immeasurable pain and suffering. Those involved should feel obligated to retract their earlier statements.
Read more at WSB-TV, 11 Alive and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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