Anthony Pierce, a former bishop, admitted to five counts of historical indecent assaults earlier this month, shedding light on an allegation of sexual abuse that seems to have been reported to church authorities 17 years prior to being brought to the attention of the police. The victim, who was believed to be under 18 at the time of the alleged assaults, had passed away by the time the church finally contacted law enforcement in 2010, ultimately hindering any investigation. This revelation only surfaced after Pierce confessed to his indecent acts on a child in a separate case, prompting the Church in Wales to launch an independent review regarding the alleged improper conduct dating back to 1990.
South Wales Police indicated their inability to progress the investigation due to the victim’s passing in 2010, coupled with the delay in reporting the abuse that allegedly occurred in 1993. Despite the prior accusation, Pierce managed to ascend to the rank of bishop of Swansea and Brecon, serving in that role for nine years until stepping down in 2008. Honors were even bestowed upon him, such as the title of Commander of the Order of St John for his charitable service, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding scandal.
The saga continued as Pierce faced sentencing for the aforementioned charges, concurrently sparking an internal investigation within the Church in Wales. The church acknowledged its awareness of a previous allegation against Pierce in 1993, yet failed to disclose it to the authorities until 2010. While the review is set to last for three months under the guidance of Gabrielle Higgins, concerns regarding potential historical failings have been raised by experts, with calls for a broader examination of the church’s handling of past allegations echoing throughout Wales.
Rebecca Sheriff, a lawyer specializing in childhood sexual abuse cases, expressed optimism about the review while highlighting the repercussions of unreported allegations. David Greenwood, a child abuse attorney affiliated with MACSAS, mirrored similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of a transparent and thorough investigative process to dispel doubts surrounding the church’s integrity. Amid these developments, Wales’ children’s commissioner, Rocio Cifuentes, underscored the need for an independent body to oversee safeguarding measures at religious institutions, urging the Welsh government to align with national inquiry recommendations for enhanced child protection protocols
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