New Birth Missionary Baptist Bishop Addresses Ambivalently Sexual Coercion Allegations Telling Congregation “I’m Under Attack”

Embattled head of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Long for the first time publically addressed allegations he sexual coerced young men into in having inappropriate sexual relationships, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, telling the congregation of thousands Sunday morning that “I am not going to try this case in the media, it will be tried in the court of justice and decided in the court of justice. Please hear this: I’ve been accused. I’m under attack. I want you to know as I said earlier I am not a perfect man ... But this thing I’m going to fight. I feel like David against Goliath, but I’ve got five rocks and I haven’t thrown one yet.” Never actually denying the allegations – or even directly acknowledging the four lawsuits filed this week against the bishop this past week by young men alleging that at time when they turned to the bishop for guidance and support, he abused his position of authority, sexually abusing the four under the auspice of a religious experience. Immediately following the first Sunday service, Long held a brief news conference, accompanied by his wife, the bishop did not take questions, instead saying “On the advice of counsel, I am not going to address the allegations and the attacks. I want this to be dealt with in the court of justice not the court of public opinion. I am going to fight. Fight very vigorously. Things New Birth has stood for ... we will continue to do.” Long will address a second service this morning, however the press will not be permitted access,