On Tuesday, September 6, Bishop Long released a statement to the media addressing the rumors about his health. He has actually admitted that he is facing a health challenge, but declined to disclose details about his health complications.

“I am recovering from a health challenge that I trust God to deliver me from. It is unrelated to the eating for life diet consisting of mostly raw vegetables that I am continuing, as part of a holistic approach to good health,” the statement read. “At this time my family and I are requesting that you respect our privacy. I truly appreciate your prayers and support for me, my loved ones and my beloved New Birth Church Family.”

The Official Statement

Fox 5 shared a photo of the press release via Twitter:

The latest statement follows a string of reports about Bishop Long’s drastic weight loss. Although the megachurch pastor initially denied the speculation about his ailing health, a recent report by Obnoxious TV blogger, William G. McCray, claims Bishop Long is suffering from complications of a gastrointestinal cancer. McCray was the first to break the story about Bishop Long’s rumored hospitalization and the grim prognosis he’s reportedly been given.

At this point, no one really knows what’s going on with Bishop Long, but we can only hope for the best.

Here’s What We Reported Yesterday

Megachurch pastor Bishop Eddie Long has reportedly been hospitalized due to a grave illness. On Friday, Sept. 2, a report surfaced online with details about Bishop Long’s ailing health, according to Christian Post.

Obnoxious TV blogger, William McCray III, claims the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor is battling an unspecified gastro-intestinal cancer.

Here’s an excerpt from McCray’s report:

“Recently, while out to dinner with some prominent minister friends a person approached our table and specifically want to speak to Sir William, (sic) in a very humble and politely asked if they could have seat. We said sure and the source went on to share they were a member of New Birth and choose to stay through the scandal. The source shared their name and shared they were very close to Bishop Long and asked if Obnoxious Media would take it easy on bishop due to his having cancer,” McCray reported.

With the information provided, McCray decided to do more digging to confirm what he’d been told. “After a couple of phone calls and text messages it was confirmed this was a very reliable source. They explained that Bishop Long has cancer in his digestive system and it was discovered in the 4th stage and he literally has months to live,” the report added.

Bishop Eddie Long Explains Dramatic Weight Loss, read more at https://t.co/QswqglT60j !! pic.twitter.com/tJDLueH0mh

— WFMV 95.3 FM (@wfmv953) August 22, 2016

According to the report, Bishop Long was admitted to an Atlanta hospital last week.  McCray also revealed the cancer has already progressed to Stage 4.

“Bishop Long has been admitted to an Atlanta hospital this week where he has been since Monday and not yet discharged,” McCray noted on Friday. “The Reliable Source went on to say the doctors have give Bishop Long up and (sic) their is nothing they can do, but try to make him comfortable.”

Although the prognosis was reportedly grim, McCray claims Bishop Long refuses to accept the doctor’s projections because he believes death lies in the power of the tongue.

“After a couple of phone calls and text messages it was confirmed this was a very reliable source. They explained that Bishop Long has cancer in his digestive system and it was discovered in the 4th stage and he literally has months to live,” the report added.

The Christian Post reached out to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Monday for comment but a phone message said the church was not open on Mondays. A message left for the minister on call for urgent matters was not returned.

According to McCray’s source, despite the alleged diagnosis, Bishop Long is banking on his faith for deliverance.

“Bishop Long has been admitted to an Atlanta hospital this week where he has been since Monday and not yet discharged,” McCray noted on Friday. “The Reliable Source went on to say the doctors have given Bishop Long up and (sic) there is nothing they can do, but try to make him comfortable. Although, Bishop Long is not willing to accept that he is ill and quoting the scripture that life and death lies in the power of the tongue.”

According to Oasis of Hope Hospital a cancer is said to be in stage 4 when it has spread far away from the origin into other organs of the body.

“This progression is also known as metastasis and unless a metastasis is singular — meaning that it has only spread in to one specific location — and it’s still accessible, it usually means that the cancer will no longer be curable with localized therapies such as surgery or radiotherapy,” said Oasis of Hope.

The American Cancer Society says the overall 5-year relative survival rate of all people with stomach cancer in the United States is about 29 percent.