Bishop Eddie Long Apologizes for 'King' Ceremony

Disgraced clergyman Bishop Eddie Long has issued an apology for allowing himself to be crowned 'king' during a recent church service at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

"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," says Long in a letter addressed to Bill Nigut, the southeast regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.

"Furthermore, I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a King, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord."

Jewish groups balked at the viral video that showed Long shrouded in a where he was draped in a "Holocaust Torah," which was allegedly resurrected from the dead and used in Jewish religious practices. At the time, visiting speaker, Rabbi Ralph Messer, anointed Long as "royalty". Messer professed to the congregation, "He's a king. God's blessed him. He's a humble man. But in him is kingship. In him is royalty."

Nigut responded to Long's apology with, "I thought it was a very heartfelt, sincere, humble apology. I was very gratified by Bishop Long apparently recognizing what our concern was."

Watch the ceremony that caused the outrage below: