EXCLUSIVE: A community of Catholic monks on a reputably 'holy island' off the coast of Wales is at the centre of a major child abuse scandal going back more than 50 years
EXCLUSIVE: Welsh island of Caldey has been rocked by child abuse scandal. Survivors of the abuse, allegedly perpetuated by monks, are fighting for justiceA community of Catholic monks on a reputably 'holy island' off the coast of Wales is at the centre of a major child abuse scandal going back more than 50 years.
Speaking to MailOnline, Victim Kevin O'Connell, 61, just 10 when he was raped, claims he witnessed the 'industrial abuse' of children, some as young as three. Thousands of tourists visit Caldey off the Pembrokeshire coast each year unaware of its dark history of sex abuse against infants as young as three
Many of his victims claim Kotik would lure his victims an altar stone in the island's ruins where he would commit his atrocities. Now Mail Online can reveal for the first time that allegations of sexual abuse and coercion against women on the island are still occurring. Most of the 50 'survivors' who were 'raped or sexually abused' on Caldey have reported what happened to them and have a crime reference number to prove it.Mr O'Connell, a stonemason living near New Quay, Cardiganshire, said: 'The reason we've been given is that the monk who abused me and many of the others has died.
Six girl victims were paid compensation after a civil court case found Father Thaddeus Kotik had sexually abused them between 1972 and 1987. It was also Father Thaddeus who raped Mr O'Connell's older sister Rebecca, who died prematurely at the age of 49. This week, the Abbey announced a 'thorough review' into historical claims of child abuse on the islandFather Thaddeus Kotik died in 1992 without facing any criminal charges into claims he abused children on the holy island.
This week, she announced that the Abbey has appointed Independent Safeguarding Consultant and former Assistant Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales, Jan Pickles OBE to lead a 'thorough review' into historical claims of child abuse. '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.'
Mail Online visited the island at Easter, a few days after the ferry boats started running visitors to the 540-acre island a mile from the seaside resort of Tenby. Caldey's Post Office doubles up as a museum with ancient relics on display along with a photograph of the 15 monks living on the island some years ago.
'Someone told me that I was going to an island where dozens of children had been sexually abused. I was shocked. I still don't know what to make of it - there were monks involved. It doesn't bear thinking about.
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