Bishop Eddie Long | Ted Haggard says he can empathize

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ted Haggard, who lost his megachurch after admitting to a relationship with a male prostitute, told TV's Inside Edition that he can empathize with what Bishop Eddie Long is going through.

"I think he's heartbroken, I think he's confused," Haggard said on the program Wednesday. "I'll tell you how I felt. I felt like I'd ruined my life."

Haggard's wife, Gayle, who stood by her husband during the scandal that forced his 2006 resignation, added that Long "has been a great man. ... He has done wonderful things. I hope they hold onto that knowledge as they try to understand what these allegations are about, if they are indeed true."

Haggard was senior pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church when a male prostitute alleged Haggard paid him for sex over three years. A male church volunteer last year also reported having a sexual relationship with Haggard.

Haggard confessed to "sexual immorality" involving the prostitute, and admitted an "inappropriate relationship" with the volunteer, who was 22 when it began.

This year, Haggard started a new church in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A Long spokesman has adamantly denied the allegations swirling around the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, which has over 25,000 members. Three young men filed lawsuits this week alleging Long used his pastoral influence to coerce them into sexual relationships.

--The Associated Press contributed to this report.