GEORGIA
11 Alive
Written by
Jennifer Leslie
Lithonia, GA – Senior Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church issued an apology to the Anti-Defamation League for his role in a king-crowning ceremony last weekend.
“The ceremony was not my suggestion, nor was it my intent, to participate in any ritual that is offensive in any manner to the Jewish community, or any group,” Bishop Long wrote in an open letter to Bill Nigut, Southern Regional Director of the ADL. “Futhermore, I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a King, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord.”
Nigut released a copy of the letter on Sunday.
“I thought it was terribly important that he acknowledge the fact that he made a mistake,” Nigut said. “I think Bishop Long participated in this ritual not understanding it wasn’t an authentic Jewish ritual and that the man who performed it is not what we consider to be a Rabbi.”
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