Police are appealing for victim-survivors to come forward following fresh allegations against the former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, Anthony Pierce.
The 85-year-old was jailed for four years in February 2025 at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 16. The offences took place between 1985 and 1990 while Pierce was a parish priest in the West Cross area of Swansea. He served as Bishop of Swansea and Brecon between 1999 and 2008.
Since his sentencing, South Wales Police have received three further reports of offences dating back to the 1970s and 80s, which are under investigation.
Detective Inspector Tom Richardson of Swansea CID said: “We know how difficult it must be for anyone to have suffered abuse in the past to come forward now. It was the bravery of the victim who reported Pierce’s actions which was instrumental in bringing him to justice.
“Since the conviction and sentencing of Pierce we have received reports from three people who have taken that first step in coming forward.
“We believe that there may be others who have been subject to Pierce’s crimes and we want to provide reassurance that any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with sensitively and with compassion.”
After his sentencing, the Church in Wales reviewed how issues relating to Pierce had been handled in the past and found that senior clergy had apparently been aware of sexual abuse allegations against him when he was appointed Archdeacon in 1995 and then Bishop of Swansea and Brecon. The allegations were not reported to the police until 2010.
The Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Cherry Vann, said the review showed “in painful detail the missed opportunities, the harmful assumptions and the inadequate processes which characterised the Church’s response to these allegations of abuse for far too long.
“This catalogue of failures can only be a source of shame for the Church and will have caused further trauma to abuse victims and their families.”
Appealing for other possible victim-survivors to come forward, Det Insp Richardson said: “We recognise that coming forward can be daunting but would encourage victim-survivors to speak with us so they can get the support and help they deserve."
Call South Wales Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 2600140999.