Just two days after his wife Vanessa announced she would be seeking a divorce, withdrew the divorce petition and then resumed divorce proceedings, megapastor Eddie Long announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from his position as senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Church.
“I’m still your pastor. You’ll still receive my direction,” Long said Sunday. “You’ve given me some weeks to take care of some family business.”
Long’s wife, Vanessa filed for divorce late Thursday afternoon. She said Friday morning she had changed her mind but by day’s end announced the divorce was on.
Bishop Long was sued in a September 2010 lawsuit by former New Birth members Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Maurice Robinson, who alleged the bishop used his influence, trips, gifts and jobs to coerce them into sexual relationships.
The suit was settled in May after months of mediation.
Information from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to this report.
