Bishop T.D. Jakes is staying neutral in the sex scandal surrounding his fellow mega-church pastor Bishop Eddie Long -- at least publicly.
In an interview with the Christian Post [5], Jakes, who leads the Potter's House in Dallas, said that all Christians should do is "pray" regarding the now settled sexual-misconduct suits against Long, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside Atlanta.
Several men sued Long, accusing him of plying them with gifts and favors when they were boys in order to seduce them when they reached the age of consent. Long, who has strongly condemned homosexuality, initially said that he would vigorously fight the charges [6]. Last month he settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
In response, Jakes told the Christian Post [5]:
"We have no other authority but to pray," said the prominent mega-church pastor before he took the stage at McDonald's Gospelfest event Saturday in Newark, N.J.
"The New Birth church is a church unto itself who has a board and it has a membership. How they choose to handle their leadership issues it's not something that we can control regardless of which side you stay on that issue. It is their church issue and their responsibility and their response," said Bishop Jakes.
Source: The Christian Post [5].
Hmmm. While Long's out-of-court settlement is certainly no admission of guilt, it does cast a cloud of suspicion, especially when Long had promised his congregation a strong defense. Prayer is wonderful, but sometimes deciding to "see no evil" can do more harm than good.
Read more at the Christian Post. [5]
In other news: Alcee Hastings Sexual Harassment Allegation: Panel Investigates [7].
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