Relationship began while woman sought pastoral support over family trauma linked to Caldey abuse scandal

A WEST Wales Catholic priest who formed a personal and sexual relationship with a parishioner he had been counselling was later found to have breached Church safeguarding standards after the woman died following a fall at a hotel where they were staying together.

Susan Gerardine Philippart, aged 61, a primary school teacher from Gorseinon, Swansea, died on March 25, 2020 from catastrophic head injuries sustained in an unwitnessed fall down a staircase at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles two weeks earlier.

An inquest concluded she died from traumatic brain injury after falling down stairs on March 10, 2020, recording a verdict of accidental death.

However, the woman’s family say they remain troubled by aspects of the case — including the fact that police were not called to the scene on the night of the incident.

The coroner’s office has confirmed that South Wales Police were not involved in the investigation and that the conclusion was reached on the basis of statements gathered during the coroner’s inquiry.

Counselling relationship

According to Susan’s daughter, Rebecca Philippart, the relationship between her mother and Father Mansel Usher began in 2017 when Susan sought pastoral counselling from the priest while he was serving at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Mumbles.

The sessions took place during a period of emotional strain for the family.

Rebecca had previously been a victim of childhood abuse connected to Caldey Island, and the revelations surrounding abuse there had caused renewed trauma.

Susan also sought guidance from the priest regarding a church annulment from her first marriage so she could marry her long-term partner.

Rebecca says her mother was a deeply religious Catholic and a respected teacher who had worked for almost three decades at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Swansea.

“She was not the kind of woman who would have an affair with a priest,” Rebecca said.

“She was in a happy relationship before he became involved.”

Rebecca alleges that during the counselling period the relationship between priest and parishioner developed into a romantic and sexual one.

She says the pair discussed marriage and that Father Usher had indicated he might leave the priesthood.

Move to Tenby

In early 2019 Father Usher was transferred from Mumbles to St Teilo’s Catholic Church in Tenby.

Parishioners were told at the time that the move related to disagreements about modernising the church.

Rebecca believes the transfer came after the relationship became known within church circles, although this has not been confirmed by the Diocese.

The Herald has asked the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia to clarify the circumstances surrounding the transfer.

Final weeks before tragedy

Rebecca says that in the weeks before the incident her mother began expressing doubts about the relationship.

She says Susan confided that she felt something was “not right” and was considering ending it.

On March 10, 2020 Father Usher officiated at the funeral of Susan’s mother at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Mumbles.

Later that evening Susan, her brother and Father Usher stayed at the nearby Norton House Hotel following a family gathering.

The night of the fall

In a statement provided to the inquest, Father Usher said he had consumed no alcohol during the day and described the events leading up to the fall.

He said the group had returned to the hotel and that he later walked upstairs ahead of Susan before turning and finding her lying at the bottom of the staircase with severe head injuries.

He said he had neither heard nor witnessed the fall itself.

Hotel staff called emergency services and Susan was taken to hospital in Cardiff.

She never regained consciousness and died 15 days later.

Inquest findings

The inquest into Susan’s death opened on April 8, 2020 and concluded on September 4, 2020 at Swansea Coroner’s Court.

The coroner recorded that she died from traumatic brain injury sustained after an unwitnessed fall down stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles.

The official conclusion was accidental death.

Rebecca Philippart says she believes the circumstances surrounding the incident warranted closer scrutiny.

She says she remains concerned that police were not called to the hotel on the night of the incident.

Hospital period

Rebecca also describes events during her mother’s two-week hospital stay that she says caused her distress.

She alleges that Father Usher acted as though he were next-of-kin, obtained a password for medical updates from staff and sent family messages suggesting Susan’s condition was improving.

Rebecca further alleges that he spoke inappropriately to her about his relationship with her mother while at the bedside and said he intended to marry her.

After Susan’s death, Rebecca says Father Usher performed last rites and said “goodbye darling” before leaving.

These accounts are Rebecca Philippart’s allegations and have not been tested in any criminal court.

Safeguarding investigation

Separate from the inquest, the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia later conducted a safeguarding investigation into Father Usher’s conduct.

A multi-agency safeguarding meeting concluded that concerns about inappropriate personal relationships connected to his pastoral ministry and failures to maintain professional boundaries were substantiated.

Father Usher has since retired from ministry.

The Herald understands that canonical proceedings may still be under consideration within the Church.

Church and police contacted

The Pembrokeshire Herald has contacted the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, South Wales Police and Father Usher seeking comment.

Any responses received will be published when available.

Separate processes

The coroner’s investigation examined only the medical and factual circumstances of the fall and concluded Susan’s death was accidental.

The safeguarding investigation was a separate process relating to pastoral conduct before the incident.

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Safe Spaces, an independent support service for people abused in religious settings.

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TIMELINE: KEY EVENTS

2017
Susan Philippart begins pastoral counselling sessions with Father Mansel Usher at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Mumbles.

2018
According to family, the relationship between priest and parishioner becomes personal and romantic.

February 2019
Father Usher moves from Mumbles to St Teilo’s Catholic Church in Tenby.

Early 2020
Susan reportedly expresses doubts about the relationship.

March 10, 2020
Father Usher officiates at Susan’s mother’s funeral.
Later that evening Susan suffers a catastrophic fall down stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles.

March 25, 2020
Susan dies at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

September 4, 2020
Inquest records verdict of accidental death following an unwitnessed fall.

Later investigation
A Church safeguarding investigation substantiates concerns about the priest’s conduct.

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EXPLAINER: WHAT IS A SAFEGUARDING INVESTIGATION?

Catholic dioceses are required to investigate concerns about clergy behaviour under safeguarding rules designed to protect vulnerable people.

These investigations examine whether priests:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Avoid personal or sexual relationships arising from pastoral counselling
• Act in a way that preserves trust placed in them by parishioners

Safeguarding investigations are separate from criminal investigations and use the civil standard of proof — the balance of probabilities.

Where concerns are substantiated, disciplinary measures may follow within Church law, including restrictions on ministry or possible removal from the priesthood.