Allegations of sexual abuse committed by a vicar and priest are being investigated

Anthony Pierce, former bishop of Swansea and Brecon was jailed earlier this year in relation to sexual abuse allegations while a former vicar is now also being investigated. 

Allegations in relation to Pierce had been reported 13 years before he became bishop of Swansea and Brecon however it was found that nothing was done about these reports. 

Three alleged survivors of the abuse have spoken out to say they want an independent inquiry into the abuse that occurred at the Church of Wales. 

One of the survivors, Alisdair Adams who is now 59 years old, details how he first met Pierce while he was 18 and attending University College Swansea. Pierce was a Parish Priest in the city in the 1980s. 

He describes how Pierce invited him over to his house and gave him lots of white wine and no food. He then moved to sit on the arms of the sofa before the lights suddenly went out. Pierce then grabbed the survivor and held him tightly in which he states that he could feel Pierce’s erect penis through his trousers.

The survivor then left immediately and reported it to a Methodist Minister. 

Another survivor who was also interviewed named Mark Dickey-Collas described how Pierce had done the same thing to him. Mark states how he reported the abuse to the church and Pierce was accordingly banned from campus and university halls. Pierce however continued working as a priest and also worked as a chaplain at Swansea’s Singleton Hospital. 

Pierce was in charge of the church safeguarding in his diocese after becoming Bishop. This also raised concerns as a woman who had reported an assault by a choirmaster to Pierce claims how no action was taken from this report. She was initially fearful in reporting the incident however two years later she plucked up the courage to do so and unfortunately nothing was done. Her abuser continued to work as a choirmaster for four years before retiring. 

Pierce was sentenced to four years and one month in March after admitted five charges of indecent assault against a boy under the age of 16 between 1985 and 1990. 

The church in Wales have apologised and have assured that an external safeguarding unit of all cathedrals in Wales will be commissioned as well as a review into its culture. They have also assured how their complaint handling procedure is now more independent, professional and robust and is committed to continuous improvement.