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Dictionary

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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Home News Statement on Anthony Pierce sentence

Statement on Anthony Pierce sentence

Provincial news Posted: 12 March 2025

A spokesperson for the Church in Wales said:

“The sentence which has been handed down reflects the shocking nature of these offences and the gross breach of trust which they represent. Anthony Pierce has abused his position, disgraced his church and, worst of all, has inflicted appalling and lasting trauma on his victim. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim in this case, who has shown immense courage in reporting what are deeply painful experiences. We offer him the most heartfelt apology for what he has had to endure.

“When these offences were disclosed to the Church in Wales in 2023, we immediately reported the matter to the Police, and we worked closely with our statutory partners as the case was investigated and prosecuted. In court today, the victim commended the work of the Provincial Safeguarding Officer assigned to his case.

“Antony Pierce will now be referred to the Church in Wales Disciplinary Tribunal, via an accelerated process for post-conviction disciplinary matters. In his pastoral letter to the diocese following the court case, the present Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Right Revd John Lomas, has made it clear that he will be asking the Tribunal to consider deposing Mr Pierce from Holy Orders, the most severe sanction available.

“When Anthony Pierce appeared in court on February 7th and admitted these offences, we issued a statement giving details of what had been discovered in an internal inquiry prompted by the 2023 report. That inquiry found that a previous report of abuse against a different victim, had been received in 1993 by a small number of senior figures in the church but had not been reported to police until 2010, by which time the victim had died and Anthony Pierce had been appointed to, and had retired from, the position of Bishop.

“As a result of this information, the Church in Wales Safeguarding Committee has commissioned an independent external review of the Church in Wales’s handling of the 1993 allegation, which has already commenced and which will be published upon completion. The review will also consider how safeguarding allegations are handled in the Church’s current systems for the appointment of Archdeacons and Bishops and whether any changes to these processes are necessary. Full terms of reference were published in February.

“The Church in Wales is determined to demonstrate that it is a safe place, and that anyone coming forward will have their concerns or disclosures taken seriously, treated with compassion, and taken forward according to the highest current standards. If our people and processes have failed victims and survivors of abuse in the past, we intend to take responsibility for that fact and to fully apply the lessons which have been learned.

“We feel the most profound shame at the dreadful offences which have resulted in today’s court case, but we hope the swift and decisive way with which the case was handled when it was reported in 2023, and the fact that we have proactively and disclosed the issues relating to the 1993 report will give confidence that we are determined to do everything possible to ensure the church is safe, that abuse is discovered and dealt with and that victims are respected and supported.

“We encourage anyone with safeguarding concerns to contact a member of our team via the Church in Wales website:

Alternatively, Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.​ You can contact the Safe Spaces team by:​

Anyone with concerns or information about this case should contact South Wales Police on 101.

You can find the Terms of Reference for the review into the Church in Wales’ handling of an allegation of abuse against Anthony Pierce below:

Terms of Reference - Anthony Pierce Independent Case Review (PDF)

Our previous statement about the case on February 7th can be found here: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/news-and-events/anthony-pierce-court-case/

And a supplementary statement on February 26th can be found here: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/news-and-events/supplementary-statement-from-the-church-in-wales-on-the-case-of-anthony-pierce/