A report obtained by the BBC has revealed deeply concerning information about former Church in Wales Bishop Anthony Pierce, who is said to have admitted sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 1990 while serving as a parish priest. Despite this, Pierce was appointed Bishop of Swansea and Brecon just two months later.

Pierce tried to damage one victim’s character by having a friend write a defamatory letter about him. His victim was unable to challenge the letter and the church allowed Pierce to continue in ministry. The Church in Wales held this document for 11 years before passing it to the police. The boy, referred to as Dean to protect his identity, who has since died, attended Pierce's old church near Swansea in south Wales. His mother had tried to raise the alarm twice, first in 1993, when she reported her concerns to the then Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, and again in 1999, shortly before Pierce was promoted. The allegation was not reported to police until 2010, two years after Pierce had stepped down.

Switalskis specialist abuse solicitor David Greenwood , expressed serious concerns about the document prepared by a friend of Pierce. He described it as profoundly distressing for the family, saying it appears to minimise Pierce’s actions while offering a damaging and unjustified portrayal of a vulnerable child.

"It's designed to put anyone investigating the case off giving Dean's account any credibility," said David Greenwood, "It's brought up this new revelation that someone was trying to cover it up."

Earlier BBC investigations also suggest that concerns about Pierce may have reached senior church figures as early as the mid-1980s, yet no record of disciplinary action has been found.

The Church in Wales has confirmed that the document will be examined as part of its ongoing review into how allegations were handled, including whether safeguarding procedures for senior appointments require change. The review is due to be published in the new year.

Pierce, now 84, is currently serving a prison sentence after admitting five counts of indecent assault against another child between 1985 and 1990.

Abuse in the Church in Wales

The Church in Wales plays a significant role in communities across the country, with more than a thousand churches, hundreds of clergy and a leadership structure that spans six dioceses. While many people find support and community within the Church, serious safeguarding failures have been highlighted in recent years. These include allegations that were not properly investigated, reports that were not shared with the police, and cases where vulnerable children and families felt ignored or dismissed.

BBC investigations and legal cases suggest a pattern where victims were not believed, concerns were minimised, and senior figures were protected from scrutiny. These failings have caused lasting harm to survivors and have deeply affected their families, their wellbeing and their trust in the Church.

At Switalskis, we understand how difficult talking about abuse can be. Our specialist religious and church abuse solicitors have extensive experience supporting people who were abused within faith-based settings, including the Church in Wales. We work with survivors and families who feel let down, ignored or retraumatised by the way their allegations were handled.

We can help by:

• Listening carefully and without judgement, at your pace
• Explaining your legal options clearly, so you feel informed and supported
• Pursuing compensation claims against the Church’s Representative Body, which is responsible for safeguarding failures and insured for abuse claims
• Helping you access support services, counselling and specialist organisations
• Ensuring the Church is held accountable for the harm caused
• Protecting your identity, if you do not want your name to be public

Switalskis' nationally recognised abuse team is here to help you understand your rights and take the next step when you feel ready.

To speak to one of our specialist church child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.