LONDON — The leader of a monastery located on a monastic island in Wales publicly expressed regret on Tuesday following the findings of a review revealing a monk’s long-standing sexual abuse of children that occurred openly despite numerous complaints over the years.
The investigation highlighted victim accounts from as far back as the 1970s, indicating that Father Thaddeus Kotik, who passed away in 1992, acted as a “serial and prolific” abuser on Caldey Island. This small island community is home to Cistercian monks and is a renowned tourist destination situated off the southern coast of Wales.
Allegations from victims stated that Kotik manipulated children into vulnerable situations by offering them sweets, chocolate, and even using a tortoise as bait. He ingratiated himself with local families through gestures of affection, gifts, and offers of babysitting, thereby gaining access to the young ones.
Father Jan Rossey, abbot of Caldey Abbey, voiced his apologies for the “closed culture of secrecy and cover-up” that allowed the abuse to persist for such an extensive period.
“It is evident that critical opportunities were overlooked to prevent the victimization of these children. It is particularly distressing to learn that children bravely approached adults about the abuse and yet no measures were taken,” he stated in a written message on Tuesday.
Kotik died without facing any charges or experiencing legal consequences for the abuses he allegedly committed.
Allegations against him became public in 2017 when six women filed a legal claim, asserting that they had been sexually abused by Kotik from 1971 to 1987. Although a financial settlement was reached, the abbey did not issue an official apology at that time.
Earlier this year, an independent review was initiated following reports from a victims’ advocacy group, which mentioned that approximately 50 individuals had come forward with claims of abuse by monks on the island.
The review focused on accusations made by those who lived on or visited Caldey Island during their childhood, revealing instances of victims being inappropriately touched or held inappropriately. One victim recounted being raped by Kotik.
“The review pointed to a significant leadership failure at the highest levels within the Order and Abbey. Serious allegations regarding repeated instances of child sexual abuse by Kotik were not escalated to the appropriate authorities, contrary to the legal requirements of that period,” the findings noted.
In light of these revelations, Abbot Rossey committed to fostering a more transparent and open environment while implementing new safeguarding measures on the island.
The Cistercian monks, a more austere branch of the Benedictine Order, have resided on Caldey Island for over a millennium. The island is marketed as a peaceful sanctuary and is referred to on its official website as “one of Britain’s holy islands.”