The lighthouse in Caldey Island. (Photo: X/ Representational)
A victim of the alleged incidents of historical child sexual abuse at an abbey in Caldey, southern Wales, has told the Daily Mail that more than 50 children were sexually abused by catholic monks at the abbey. Allegations of abuse against the monks of the Caldey abbey have been surfacing for a while now, and recently, following a change of guard there, an independent probe was launched into the allegations, some of which go as far back as the 1960s.
Caldey is located less than a mile from Tenby town, on the Pembrokeshire coast. It is a popular tourist destination, and thousands visit every year to witness the scenic coastline and the historical architecture of the island.
Recently, Father Jan Rossey was appointed the new superior of the abbey, and it was his appointment that reportedly opened the door for the probe into the historical allegations.
“In common with many other organisations, Caldey Abbey has, in the past, received disclosures and allegations involving members of the monastic community about their behaviour towards children, Rossey said.
“We take these allegations very seriously and, in order to uphold our commitment to safeguarding, we have commissioned a leading independent safeguarding consultant, Jan Pickles OBE, to conduct a thorough review”.
The allegations started to surface following the launch of “The Caldey Island Survivors Campaign,” which is fighting for a public inquiry into the historical child sex abuse that took place on the island. Kevin O’Connell, 61, reportedly the founder of the campaign.
O’Connell claims that he was raped by a monk when he was 10 and witnessed the ‘industrial abuse’ of children at the abbey, per a Daily Mail report. After he put out an appeal on social media urging others to come forward with their grievances, around 50 people are claiming historic abuse by monks at Caldey.
“I was fearful that people were still being abused on the island but I had no proof – then a letter arrived a few weeks ago,” he told the Daily Mail. “It was anonymous but the person who wrote it lives on the island and described themselves as a concerned resident.
“A young girl was subjected to sexual harassment and misogynistic behaviour. According to the concerned resident there was no investigation and the allegations were dismissed by the Abbot. It shows that nothing has changed – they lie and they lie and they lie.”
Notably, six female victims received compensation following a civil court case that determined a one of the monks had committed sexual abuse against them from 1972 to 1987.
