More than 50 children who visited a remote holy island off the coast of Wales were raped or subjected to vile sex abuse by paedophile monks, a leaked report reveals. The review found that monks, and men with criminal records who claimed to be monks, were able to join the monastery without checks.
Children as young as three were allegedly groomed and attacked in ‘plain sight’ on Caldey Island, a picturesque tourist spot off the Pembrokeshire coast. For more than 100 years, the island has been home to Caldey Abbey and a small community of Trappist monks. It receives up to 60,000 visitors a year.
In April, an independent review was launched after several people came forward to report allegations of historic sex abuse, dating back more than 60 years. The review found that the monks were ‘reckless’, did nothing to stop the abuse and were openly ‘hostile and cruel’ to those who complained about it.
The review focuses on Father Thaddeus Kotik, a prolific abuser of children in the 1970s and 80s. The Polish-born monk was described by one victim as a ‘Michael Jackson-like’ character, who used a pet tortoise, kittens and gifts of sweets, biscuits and yoghurt from the island’s dairy, where he worked, to groom, rape and molest children.
He died in 1992 without being interviewed by police. In 2018, six women were paid compensation in out-of-court settlements for the abuse they suffered at his hands. They should receive official apologies and their cases should be reviewed, the investigation found.
As part of the review, Jan Pickles, the former assistant police and crime commissioner for south Wales, interviewed 17 survivors who either lived on or visited the island. The Caldey Island Survivors Campaign insists other monks, as well as Father Thaddeus, were responsible for the abuse of 54 victims who have come forward.
The 540-acre island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Tenby. Father Jan Rossey, the new Abbot of Caldey Abbey who commissioned the review, has insisted he is committed to fostering openness and transparency. He was contacted for comment.
The abbey is now under new leadership in the form of Fr Jan Rossey. Thousands of tourists visit Caldey off the Pembrokeshire coast each year unaware of its dark history of sex abuse. Caldey Island Abbey, where the abuse is alleged to have taken place, is a popular tourist destination.
Sex offender Paul Ashton lived on the island under a false name between 2004 and 2011, while wanted by police in England for possessing illegal images of children. Another paedophile, Father John Shannon, who was a priest on the island for nine months in 2008, was jailed for possessing extreme sexual images of children as young as nine.
Caldey Island is the perfect place for paedophiles and sex offenders to hide away or go undercover. They should change its name to Paedophile Island – no tourists would visit then.
Conclusion:
The shocking revelations of the leaked report highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the Catholic Church. The abuse of children is a heinous crime that can have lasting and devastating effects on victims and their families. It is essential that those responsible are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent such abuse from happening again.
FAQs:
Q: How many children were abused on Caldey Island?
A: More than 50 children were abused on Caldey Island.
Q: How long did the abuse take place?
A: The abuse took place between 1960 and 1992.
Q: Who was responsible for the abuse?
A: The abuse was committed by monks and men with criminal records who claimed to be monks.
Q: What is being done to address the abuse?
A: An independent review was launched in April, and the new Abbot of Caldey Abbey has committed to fostering openness and transparency.
Q: What support is available for victims?
A: Victims of the abuse are receiving support and compensation, and their cases are being reviewed.
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