ATLANTA -- After a day of on-then-off announcements of a divorce by Vanessa Long against her husband, Bishop Eddie Long, the divorce appears to be on again.
Early Friday evening, a statement from Vanessa Long's attorney, Michael W. Tyler, said in part, "Mrs. Long continues to hope that this matter may be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously and fairly; however, she has determined that dismissal of her divorce petition is not appropriate at this time."
The statement goes on to say that any further communications from Vanessa Long will come from her attorneys, and that at this point, she has no further comment on the matter.
Vanessa Long filed for dissolution of her 21-year-long marriage to Eddie Long on Thursday.
But a statement purporting to have come from Vanessa Long showed up Friday afternoon saying she had recanted and was withdrawing the petition.
That statement said, in part, that she intended "to withdraw my petition for divorce from my husband, Bishop Eddie L. Long. I love my husband. I believe in him and admire his strength, and courage."
READ: Vanessa Long's statement on staying with Bishop Long
PHOTO GALLERY: Eddie Long
She noted that Thursday's divorce filing "followed years of attacks in the media that frustrated and overwhelmed me . . . my husband and I have mutually agreed to find healing from these attacks."
Last year, four metro Atlanta men sued the bishop over alleged sexual abuse.
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Vanessa Long's petition for divorce stated she was filing "upon the ground that the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken." Documents filed with the Superior Court of DeKalb County said the couple was "currently living in a bona fide state of separation."
READ: Vanessa Long's petition for divorce
Long's petition added that there was "no hope of reconciliation of the parties" and that it was "in the best interest of all parties concerned that this marriage be terminated."
She asked for "temporary and permanent alimony," "an equitable division of the marital property" and "separate, non-marital property."
In a statement issued hours earlier Friday morning, Vanessa Long said:
After a great deal of deliberation and prayer, I have decided to terminate my marriage to Bishop Eddie L. Long. Accordingly, I authorized my attorneys to file for divorce on December 1, 2011.
It is my sincere hope that this matter can be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously, and fairly. I ask that you respect my privacy and that of my family, as my attorneys and I have agreed that we will not try this case in the media, and I do not intend to make any further statements concerning this matter.
I also ask that the public pray for my entire family during this difficult period of transition.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless and keep each of you.
Friday evening, Bishop Long released a statement:
God has blessed us with a wonderful family. Vanessa is, and has always been, a loving, dedicated and committed wife and Mother. My love for her is deep and unwavering. It remains our sincere desire to continue working together in seeking God's Will in these circumstances. We will do so as privately as possible and with a spirit of love and sensitivity to our family. We ask that you be in prayer for our family and that we be allowed to privately pursue this important path without need, or request from the media, for further comment.
Bishop Long pastors New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia. He and his wife have two children.