Vicar who beat naked men snubs church ban
‘Bullying’ clergyman shows ‘flagrant disregard for discipline’ by continuing to preside
A LEADING evangelical minister banned from preaching after administering naked beatings and ice baths to vulnerable men is continuing to take part in religious ceremonies, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The Rev Jonathan Fletcher was stripped of his licence to practise by the Bishop of Southwark in 2017 amid allegations that he had spiritually abused vulnerable adults.
However, the 77-year-old repeatedly flouted the ban and continued to preach around the world until he was unmasked by The Telegraph last year.
Five of his alleged victims recently came forward to speak to this newspaper and told how he left them feeling “like a neglected and abused dog”.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, they claim they were subjected to naked massages and beatings, ice baths, bullying, intimidation and psychological manipulation over several years.
However, it can now be revealed that despite having his Permission to Officiate (PTO) revoked, Mr Fletcher has continued his ministry. Not only did he preside at a bedside communion for two people last year, he also led a committal at a crematorium just a few weeks ago.
Mr Fletcher said that since his PTO was revoked he has “pulled out of all public ministry” and that both ceremonies were private and at the request of the individuals.
But the revelations have angered his alleged victims who have criticised his “flagrant disregard for church discipline” as he “continues to act as a narcissistic authority unto himself ”.
Last night, the dioceses of Guildford and Southwark said they were “very concerned” about his conduct.
Mr Fletcher, who was vicar of Emmanuel Church in Wimbledon, south west London, from 1982 until his retirement in 2012, has confirmed that he did preside at the communion. He also said he led the committal as part of a funeral service at Guildford crematorium in Surrey about two weeks ago.
The incidents raise serious questions of the Church of England and communications between dioceses.
Earlier this month at the General Synod, the Bishop of Bath & Wells said that the Diocese of Southwark was “continuing to seek a comprehensive safeguarding agreement with Jonathan Fletcher, which would stipulate arrangements for worship”.
In order to take part in church services every priest needs a PTO and must seek permission from a bishop to minister outside his or her own diocese.
While no such permission is needed to take a committal in a crematorium both dioceses have said they “are taking concerns about Jonathan Fletcher’s actions seriously”.
Following the recent revelations one alleged victim, said: “I’m appalled to discover that Jonathan Fletcher continues to act as a narcissistic authority unto himself, showing flagrant disregard for appropriate church discipline and demonstrating his apologies and assurances are devoid of all meaning.
“I’m aghast that he can continue to minister in this way, demonstrating disdain for the living, disrespect for the dead and heartless disregard for his victims.”
Another alleged victim added: “We keep being told that the Evangelical establishment and Church of England are managing and investigating the situation. Events like this underline that they are not capable of doing so.”
Mr Fletcher said he performed the committal at the request of the family of a “very close friend” and took no part in officiating at the following funeral service at St Saviour’s church.
He added: “I’m deeply, deeply sorry for the people I’ve harmed … I have pulled out of all public ministry.
“So I have been invited to do various things and haven’t done them. There are some people’s funerals I haven’t gone to because my presence would have been awkward.”
A spokesman for the Diocese of Guildford, said Mr Fletcher took “no role” in the funeral service after the committal. “Nonetheless, we are very sorry for any distress that may have been caused by his actions,” he added.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Southwark said administering communion “is in direct contradiction to his agreement to refrain from public ministry and is not allowable without a PTO”. A complaint has been lodged against Mr Fletcher under the Clergy Discipline Measure which is still being processed.
‘I’m aghast he can continue to minister in this way which shows heartless disregard for his victims’