Benny Hinn says neglecting family led to marriage breakdown

Television evangelist Benny Hinn has admitted that his marriage probably broke down because he did not spend enough time with the family.

On the August 5 edition of his show "This is your Day”, Hinn said he was oftentimes "caught up with the ministry", so much so that he forgot about his family.

"I've made mistakes because I wasn't the perfect husband and the perfect dad because I was always gone travelling the world," he said. "That's probably what broke the whole thing up."

Hinn told his viewers "not to neglect your family", saying that the call of God should first touch the family.

"If you have no family, you can't go on anyways," he said.

Hinn's wife, Suzanne, filed divorce papers in California earlier in the year, citing "irreconcilable differences". The couple had been married since 1979 and have four children together.

On his recent show, watched by millions around the world, Hinn said it was often painful to talk about their separation.

"We've had to be very quiet to protect the ministry, the work of the Lord," he said. "But sadly when you are a public person, everything you do becomes public."

Hinn continued: "I don't care if the anointing of God is on you. Nobody wants to be alone. I don't care who you are. I am a human being just like you."

The press recently linked Hinn to fellow televangelist Paula White, suggesting they were romantically involved.

Hinn rejected the claims and denied any wrongdoing, stating that the article published by the National Enquirer on July 23 was a "pure lie”.

Following the story, Hinn and White announced their decision to “have no further social relationship” until his divorce has been finalised and “only if we feel direction from the Lord to do so”.