The Church in Wales is reeling following the admission of former bishop Anthony Pierce to five counts of indecent assault on a male child under the age of 16.
The case, which has shocked the community, unfolded last Friday at Swansea Crown Court.
Pierce, who served as the bishop of Swansea and Brecon from 1999 to 2008, committed the offences between 1985 and 1990 while he was a parish priest in West Cross, Swansea.
Following the survivor’s disclosure to the church’s safeguarding officer in 2023, the allegations were promptly reported to the police, leading to Pierce’s court appearance.
The court has remanded Pierce on bail, with a provisional sentencing date set for March 7. In light of the conviction, the Church in Wales has initiated a review of its handling of previous allegations, including one from 1993 that some members might have been aware of.
Current Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Right Reverend John Lomas, expressed deep shock and sadness over the revelations.
“This isn’t just another statistic; Tony Pierce was a trusted leader within our community,” he said in a letter to parishioners. “Many were baptized, confirmed, or ordained by him, making this case all the more disturbing.”
The Church in Wales issued a statement expressing its “deepest sympathy” to the victim and condemned Pierce’s actions as a “profound shame.”
It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding, stating, “There is no place for any form of abuse in the Church in Wales. We give the highest priority to the care and protection of children and vulnerable people in our communities.”
