US pastor to fight sex allegations

One of the most powerful independent church leaders in the US says he will fight allegations that he coerced young men into sexual relationships.



Four young men have filed lawsuits against Bishop Eddie Long, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.



Bishop Long told a congregation that he was not a perfect man but he would fight the allegations against him.



He did not discuss the lawsuits, but he has previously denied the claims.



Bishop Long, who is an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, built up the New Birth church from a small suburban community to a congregation of 25,000.



Although Bishop Long has been named as a defendant in the lawsuits, federal and state authorities say they will not investigate the allegations because all four men were above Georgia's age of consent when the alleged relationships began.