A former vicar of Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon, Jonathan Fletcher, has been charged with indecent assault and bodily harm, Christianity Today is reporting.
Fletcher, 81, was charged at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court recently for the offence he allegedly committed 25 to 50 years ago while he served as a leader of the church.
The charges stemmed from allegations made against him over the years.
The newspaper reports that dozens of men have recounted past cases of bullying, coercion, and inappropriate behaviour by the retired clergyman.
Some of the accounts include naked massages, ice baths, and sauna visits.
Fletcher, a high-profile evangelical voice in the UK, had retired before the allegations were made. However, his former diocese barred him from further ministry, reported him to the authorities, and instituted an investigation.
In his response, Fletcher said the behaviour was consensual even as he apologised for any harm he had caused.
The retired clergyman served at Emmanuel Church between 1982 and 2012.
He is to appear again in court on August 7.