UK monk sexually abused children on island for several decades, finds report
The head of a monastic abbey on Caldey Island in Wales, UK, apologized on Tuesday following a review that found a monk, Father Thaddeus Kotik, sexually abused children over several decades. The abuse occurred “in plain sight” despite multiple complaints being raised.
The review found that victims from the 1970s described Kotik, who died in 1992, as a “serial and prolific” abuser. Caldey Island is home to Cistercian Order monks and is a tourist destination.
The island promotes itself as a peaceful religious site and is described as “one of Britain’s holy islands” on its website.
Victims alleged Kotik used sweets, chocolate, and a tortoise to lure children to secluded areas. He reportedly gained access to children by befriending families on the island, offering gifts, affection, and babysitting services.
Father Jan Rossey, the current abbot of Caldey Abbey, apologized for a “closed culture of secrecy and cover-up” that allowed the abuse to continue. He said, “It is clear opportunities were missed to stop the abuse of children. It is particularly heartbreaking to hear children spoke up to adults and no action was taken.”
Kotik died in 1992 without being charged or convicted. Allegations of abuse became public in 2017 when six women filed a legal claim alleging Kotik sexually abused them between 1971 and 1987. This claim was settled financially, but the abbey did not apologize at the time.
An independent review was initiated earlier this year after a victims’ campaign group reported that around 50 people had come forward with allegations of abuse by monks on the island.
The review looked into allegations from people who lived on or visited the island as children. These accounts included incidents of inappropriate touching and, in one case, rape. The review noted a “failure of leadership” within the Order and Abbey, stating that allegations were not reported to authorities, as required by law at the time.
Father Rossey pledged to improve transparency and implement safeguarding measures on the island.
