Bishop Paul Morton admits he may have fathered a child out of wedlock

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Bishop Paul Morton Statement on Paternity Story

Being a man of integrity and honor, Bishop Paul S. Morton is publicly addressing a story being circulated about a previous relationship that occurred prior to his marriage to Dr. Debra B. Morton.

Bishop Morton has always strived to live a life that would be pleasing to God. As most of us that have lived any length of time, he has experienced some highs and some lows and the aforementioned relationship is one of them.

“I wish I could tell you that I did right all my life, but I can’t. I have made some major mistakes and this is one of them.”

While in his early 20’s, prior to Pastoring and being married, he did have a very short-lived relationship with a Ms. Elaine Hawkins. A few months after the relationship, she informed him she was expecting a child.

Being an honorable gentleman, he never questioned paternity and provided consistent monthly financial support for the first 15 years of the child’s life without any legal filings. Subsequently, as financial demands increased from Ms. Hawkins, he requested and Ms. Hawkins supported, a legal agreement was reached through the courts establishing financial support the next 3 years of the child’s life.

As additional financial requests were made and threats of public exposure, he asked to legally establish paternity (DNA test) so he could with assurance claim paternity of the child. To his dismay, Ms. Hawkins denied the request. All contact and financial support ended at that time.

Bishop Morton has done his best to be honorable in this situation. Out of respect for Ms. Hawkins memory, who died of cancer this past January, he will continue to handle this as a private family matter as he has done for the past 40 years.

There will no further comments.