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.

Colleague-led fundraising, match funding and sponsorship deliver vital support to charities and grassroots groups

WALES & West Utilities staff have raised more than £150,000 for charities, sports clubs and community initiatives over the past year, the company has announced.

The total includes funds generated through colleague-led activities, with more than £26,000 boosted through the company’s match-funding scheme, alongside sponsorship for local sports organisations. The money has supported thousands of people across Wales and the south west of England, benefiting both national charities and grassroots community groups.

Bethan Jones, Head of People & Customer Experience at Wales & West Utilities, said the efforts reflected the strong community focus of staff.

She said: “Year after year, our colleagues go above and beyond to support the communities we work in—not only through fundraising, but also through hands-on community engagement.

“We are proud to enhance their efforts through match funding and sponsorship, ensuring their commitment and impact go even further in giving back to the communities we serve.”

She added that the company remains committed to making a positive difference while continuing to deliver energy to more than 7.5 million people across its network.

“As a company, we want to make a lasting impact across the region by prioritising local support alongside our core role. We know our colleagues are determined to do even more each year, and we’re excited to see what 2026 will bring,” she said.

Alongside its fundraising success, the company reported strong progress through its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) programme, which is on track to support more than 700,000 customers and deliver over £43 million in funding. The initiative aims to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and help tackle fuel poverty.

Wales & West Utilities said its wider corporate social responsibility programme continues to play a key role in supporting wellbeing and strengthening community connections across the region.

Bethan Jones added: “This combined approach of colleague engagement, match funding and wider community investment ensures we continue to make a tangible difference.

“We are continually inspired by the generosity and creativity of our colleagues, and we look forward to building on this success in the year ahead.”

Wales & West Utilities operates the gas emergency and pipeline network serving Wales and the south west of England, transporting gas to more than 7.5 million people through over 35,000 kilometres of underground pipes.

Members of the public who smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide are urged to call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999. Engineers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Charity warns £53m package ‘won’t go far enough’ as pensioners face rising bills

OLDER people across Wales are struggling to pay their energy bills despite new Government support, with a significant number already facing financial hardship before recent global tensions threatened further price rises.

New figures highlighted by Age Cymru show that 31% of pensioners reported struggling financially even before conflict escalated in the Middle East, with energy costs cited as the main pressure.

The UK Government this week announced a £53m support package for households reliant on heating oil. While welcoming the move, Age Cymru warned it would not be sufficient to protect vulnerable older people, many of whom are on low or fixed incomes and already finding it difficult to make ends meet.

The charity’s national polling, carried out in January, paints a stark picture of ongoing hardship. Nearly half (45%) of respondents said they were cutting back on heating or electricity use, while 36% said they were worried about falling into energy debt this winter.

Age Cymru said the situation is particularly concerning given the potential impact of geopolitical instability on energy prices later this year. The charity reports it is already hearing from older people anxious about how they will cope next winter.

Around one in ten households in Wales rely on heating oil, leaving them especially exposed to sudden price increases. Unlike those on mains gas, these households are not protected by the energy price cap.

The charity is calling on energy companies and the UK Government to ensure support is targeted at those most at risk. It also warned that rising consumer energy debt—currently at a record £4.5bn and forecast to reach £7bn by the end of the year—shows many households are still living with the impact of previous crises.

Concerns have also been raised for groups not covered by current support measures, including some park home residents and care home residents, who face similar exposure to rising costs.

Victoria Lloyd, Chief Executive of Age Cymru, said: “Even before recent events, many pensioners were already finding life financially challenging. Now, with the prospect of further energy price increases, anxiety is growing among older people about whether they will be able to afford to heat their homes.

“While the Government’s support is welcome, it will not be enough to meet the scale of need. Those relying on heating oil are particularly vulnerable, facing immediate and significant price hikes.

“It is deeply worrying for older people living on fixed incomes to be confronted with fuel costs that have doubled or even tripled overnight. This is not just a financial issue—it is a threat to health and wellbeing.

“We urgently need both immediate support and long-term solutions. No older person should be left in the cold. That means fairer energy pricing, better-insulated homes, and a system that tackles fuel poverty at its root.”

Age Cymru is urging anyone struggling with rising living costs to seek advice. Support is available through its Advice Line on 0300 303 44 98 or via its website. The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.