ST LOUIS (LALATE) – The Bishop Eddie Long settlement may not solve perception problems plaguing New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Longfellow. Bishop Eddie Long last week settled cases brought against him and New Birth by former Spiritual Sons and members. While terms of the settlement agreement were confidential, that confidentiality could ultimately hurt New Birth’s image, says insiders. Long has shown zero remorse since news of the settlement, prompting critics to wonder if perceptions of the ministry will remain in doubt.
Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris, Anthony Flagg and Spencer LeGrande had accused defendants not just of wrongful conduct against their bodies but also of Bishop Eddie Long allegedly shuffling church funds, given by parishioners, to fund his alleged antics with the boys. Now with news of the cases dismissed, critics are wondering if more alleged parishioner donations were used to fund a possible the settlement payment.
For years, Long and New Birth has been under fire for opulent spending. Long’s living high, with a Bentley, a jet and a mansion is not new. But were parishioner funds used to seduce Long’s accusers? The lawsuits had claimed that “Defendant Long uses monetary funds from the accounts of Defendant New Birth and Defendant Longfellows … to entice the chosen Spiritual Sons with cars, clothes, jewelry and electronics”.
Bishop Eddie Long Pictures Released by Plaintiff’s Attorney
Bishop Eddie Long Photo 1
Bishop Eddie Long Photo 2
A recent media campaign depicted Long on billboards with the image “Love Live Lead Like Him.” But with Long being portrayed first in a Bentley, then accused of using ministry funds to “entice” members with car purchases, and now the subject of a settlement agreement, the presence of a confidentiality agreement is causing unanswered questions to remain unresolved.
When the scandal erupted, Long said “I am not going to try this case in the media”. When the scandal was settled last week, Long didn’t given any further insight. A news statement posted on New Birth simply read “This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry….The resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel.”
While Long has refused to discuss the matter, that lack of answers could impact membership and future funding. As one reader commented this week, “I am totally disgusted by this case. Where did the settlement money come from? I am certain that the hard working congregation did not have a … settlement in mind when they dug into their pockets each Sunday. How many computers and books would that money have purchased?”
Long said in his response to the complaints that “Defendant Long’s Spiritual Songs are taken on public and private jets to U.S. and international destinations house in luxury hotels and given access to numerous celebrities including entertainment stars and politicians.” But one person who will no longer be part of that is Reverend Bernice King — Martin Luther King, Jr.’s youngest daughter. She now confirms that she is leaving New Birth.
