Paige Patterson, the under-fire president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has apologised for comments that have seen thousands of Southern Baptists call for him to be disciplined by his denomination.

Patterson, a long-time senior figure in Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) life who as served as the SBC president, has been sharply criticised after a recording from 2000, in which he appeared to advise abused women to submit to their husbands, resurfaced. He has also been called out over crude public comments about a 'built' 16-year-old girl in which he described rebuking a woman who had objected to the way teenaged boys spoke about her, describing it as 'biblical'.

In his statement, Patterson said: 'Pastoral ministry that occurred 54 years ago, repeated as an illustration in sermons on more than one occasion, as well as another sermon illustration used to try to explain a Hebrew word (Heb. Banah "build or construct," Gen. 2:22) have obviously been hurtful to women in several possible ways. I wish to apologize to every woman who has been wounded by anything I have said that was inappropriate or that lacked clarity.

'We live in a world of hurt and sorrow, and the last thing that I need to do is add to anyone's heartache. Please forgive the failure to be as thoughtful and careful in my extemporaneous expression as I should have been.'

He added that he rejected any form of abuse and concluded: 'To all people I offer my apology, but especially to women, to the family of Southern Baptists, my friends and the churches. I sincerely pray that somehow this apology will show my heart and may strengthen you in the love and graciousness of Christ.'

SWBTS trustees are to meet later this month to discuss Patterson's situation, which is complicated by his position at the institution: it is building a facility for him to retire to in its grounds, which will house a $2.5 million Baptist Heritage Library housing his collections.

Separate petitions by Southern Baptist women and men condemning his behaviour have attracted thousands of signatures.