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	No Forgiveness for Megachurch Leader in Abuse Case By Stan Simpson Hartford Courant December 9, 2011 http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/hc-op-simpson-sex-abuse-settlement-taints-eddie-lo-20111209,0,5236655.column Bishop Eddie Long is taking time off now to supposedly recharge, regroup — and make a final attempt to repair his broken marriage. Many of the flock from his Atlanta megachurch are taking flight as well. Vanessa Long is doing now what the entire New Birth Missionary Baptist Church should have done in May after Eddie Long settled a sexual coercion lawsuit filed by five young men — divorcing herself from the charismatic preacher. All of the accusers had a similar story. They said the 58-year-old Long plied the then teenagers with gifts, trips and offered spiritual guidance. Eventually, the accusers alleged, the relationships turned sexual. If they are to be believed, then Long — a prosperity preacher who opposed homosexuality — was actually on the down low in his personal life. If they are to be believed, then this leader of a congregation once estimated at 25,000 was a hypocrite, a fraud and a sexual predator of young boys. Forgive him if you want, but never forget that Eddie Long is the face, voice and spiritual authority of one of the most prominent churches in America. Martin Luther King's daughter, Rev. Bernice King, was a member. She quit before the settlement announcement. In 2008, the funeral for Coretta Scott King, attended by four U.S. presidents, was hosted by New Birth. The confidential settlement was reportedly for millions. Long has yet to say how he evolved from publicly saying he was wrongly accused and would vigorously fight these charges in court to signing off a on a secret deal. What exactly was there to keep secret? In recent months we've been mesmerized by child molestation charges against longtime assistant athletic coaches at high-profile universities. In the Penn State and Syracuse cases, there was the initial shock, then strong denials, followed by defiance. Ultimately, as more allegations and facts surfaced, there is the acceptance that whatever went on with the accused men and these boys was not appropriate. Eddie Long's case was different. He was not only the accused, but, unlike Penn State's former assistant Jerry Sandusky and Syracuse's former assistant Bernie Fine, Long is the titular head of his organization. In other words, imagine that Joe Paterno and Jim Boeheim were each accused of multiple acts of sexual misconduct. Imagine them privately settling the matter with money. Then, imagine them returning to their leadership posts. Long was indignant when accused last year, insisting he wanted to get his day in court: "I am going to fight, fight very vigorously against these charges,'' he said. Long put up a short battle. He still has conceded nothing. He hasn't sought forgiveness. He hasn't attempted to clarify. He just wanted things — praise God — to return to normal. A familiar refrain in the black church is "God don't like ugly.'' Long's membership is dwindling. Religious protesters have picketed the church seeking Long's resignation. Vanessa Long is divorcing her husband of 21 years. When wrongdoing is committed by a religious leader of Long's stature, there is an acute dilemma. If forgiveness is granted — and in church it's required — can credibility and integrity of leadership be restored? Forgiving is the easy part. Forgetting? Highly unlikely. "A perfect gospel is preached by imperfect men,'' said Pastor T.C. Brantley, who heads Restoration Springs Church in Waterbury. When deciding whether a morally flawed leader can continue in his role, Brantley says there are three questions to consider: "Are they repentant? Are they sorry? Will they change? If they will not change or come under any covering of wrong, then, yes, that person may not be fit to serve,'' Brantley said. "But if they admit they're wrong … and they confess, then who are we not to forgive them?'' Sexually abusing young boys or girls is not an act we should be quick to forgive. So much emotional and psychological damage is done to the victims, who, as a result, are at times inclined to become sexually deviant themselves. Long never repented, nor explained. He simply agreed it was best to pay the boys, now men, for their silence. Pretty ugly stuff in the House of God. Stan Simpson is host of "The Stan Simpson Show'' (www.ctnow.com/stan and Saturdays, 6:30 a.m., on FoxCT) and senior executive adviser at the Hartford Journalism & Media Academy.
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