The previous Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, Anthony Pierce, has been sentenced to only over 4 years in jail after admitting intercourse offences towards a younger boy.
The crimes have been dedicated within the Eighties however solely got here to mild in 2023 when the sufferer instructed members of the family and knowledgeable safeguarding officers.
The sufferer, who was christened by Pierce as a baby, was subjected to the abuse throughout piano and organ classes.
The prosecutor within the case, Dean Pulling, mentioned, “They have been alone collectively, the defendant was the household priest, his dad and mom believed their son was protected with him.
“The sufferer described how the vicar’s behaviour turned normalised, Pierce would attempt to kiss him whereas he touched him sexually. It will occur as soon as a fortnight.
“It got here to mild in 2023 when the sufferer instructed his brother and fogeys what had occurred to him and so they went to a Church in Wales safeguarding officer.”
Pierce was additionally accused of a separate incident of sexual assault towards one other boy in 1993, nevertheless the Church in Wales didn’t go on the allegation to the police till 2010, by which period the alleged sufferer had already handed away.
In an affect assertion, the surviving sufferer spoke of the lengthy lasting results the abuse had taken on his life.
“The most important consequence has been my emotional improvement,” he mentioned.
“To at the present time I can bear in mind feeling an amazing sense of embarrassment and disgrace.
“I turned to alcohol to dam out my feelings.
“It affected my schooling, profession, private relationships and at occasions triggered havoc in my private life.
“Upon listening to that Tony had pleaded responsible I felt vindicated and really feel I have been launched from one thing that is had a maintain of me through the years.
“I do know he is answerable for quite a lot of how my life has turned out.”
Pierce’s defence, Keith Edwards, mentioned that the previous bishop, now 84, understood the enormity of his crimes and was remorseful. It was additionally said that as a result of Pierce’s superior age and well being issues, he might die in jail.
Detective Inspector Sharon Gill-Lewis, of South Wales Police, mentioned: “I commend the bravery of the sufferer in reporting Anthony Pierce’s actions, which was instrumental in serving to convey him to justice.”
A spokesperson for the Church in Wales mentioned that the sentence handed right down to Pierce “displays the stunning nature of those offences and the gross breach of belief which they signify”.
“Anthony Pierce has abused his place, disgraced his church and, worst of all, has inflicted appalling and lasting trauma on his sufferer,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“Our ideas and prayers are with the sufferer on this case, who has proven immense braveness in reporting what are deeply painful experiences.
“We provide him probably the most heartfelt apology for what he has needed to endure.”
Anybody affected by the problems raised on this article can contact the Church in Wales safeguarding workforce or Protected Areas, a free and unbiased help service, offering a confidential, private and protected area for anybody who has been abused by their relationship with both the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.
