At the Evangelical Ministry Assembly conference this week, the church's safeguarding officer outlined the claims they had heard since 2017 after he had retired, about him using physical discipline in the context of discipling other men.
Vaughan Roberts, the vicar of St Ebbe's in Oxford apologised to those affected and said the church must do better to not allow such behaviour to go unnoticed and a website was set up for potential victims.
All allegations have been handed on to Southwark Diocese and the police, who have never required further action.
Jonathan Fletcher, 76, has now responded, saying: "As part of a long-standing prayer group, I have in the past been involved in a system of mutual encouragement whereby we set ourselves targets in healthy and holy living and then imposed what I thought of as light-hearted forfeits if we failed,
"These included going without chocolate, cold baths and school-type gym shoe punishments. Although at the time we definitely did not think we were doing anything wrong, I've seen since that it could have caused much harm both to individuals and to the reputation of conservative evangelicalism for which I am profoundly sorry. Needless to say, this activity has now stopped."
"In addition, a number of people are reporting that I have had naked massages with them. I enjoy massage and benefit from it. To that end I regularly have it professionally administered. However, if I can avoid the cost by finding a male friend to administer, and in return receive, massage, I do.
"These sessions categorically do not have erotic or sexual overtones and I have never coerced or intended to coerce anyone into an arrangement. If any have felt pressurised by me to do this, I apologise. Again, I realise that in the position I have held in the past as an incumbent, it was unwise of me to involve anyone to whom I was also ministering and I apologise for doing so.
"I confirm that I no longer engage in public ministry."
Jonathan Fletcher stopped being a vicar in 2012, after 30 years, and the claims arose in 2017.
The Diocese of Southwark said earlier this week: "As soon as concerns about Jonathan Fletcher's behaviour were brought to the attention of Southwark, the statutory authorities, including the police, were informed. He was asked and agreed to withdraw from all aspects of his ministry exercised under his Permission to Officiate (PTO) which means he was no longer able to minister in the Church of England.
"Once the diocese was informed there was no criminal case to answer, the Bishop of Southwark commissioned an independent safeguarding assessment based on information available at the time. It concluded that whilst there was no evidence from the assessment that Jonathan Fletcher posed a significant sexual or physical risk to children there was a risk of him behaving towards vulnerable adults who may be seeking his spiritual guidance in a manner which may be harmful.
"In consequence, he has not been allowed to officiate in the Church of England since and formal contact has been made with him to explain this. We have been alerted to further disclosures about Jonathan Fletcher's behaviour and the diocese is looking at taking further formal action working closely with the National Safeguarding Team and Emmanuel Wimbledon. "
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.
