Independent Review Exposes Abuse by Caldey Monk

An independent review has revealed that Father Thaddeus Kotik, a monk on Caldey Island, sexually abused children for decades, with allegations dating from the late 1940s to 1992, often in plain sight of the community. The report, led by Jan Pickles, highlighted systematic failures and a culture of secrecy within Caldey Abbey, where repeated allegations were not reported to authorities. Victims were groomed with gifts and manipulation, leading to significant trauma, and many families were unaware of the abuse occurring under their noses. Father Jan Rossey, the current abbot, expressed deep sorrow for the suffering caused and acknowledged the need for improved safeguarding measures. Despite allegations surfacing as early as 2014, it was not until six victims brought civil lawsuits that the monks alerted the police. The review criticized the leadership and governance within the abbey for allowing Kotik to operate unchecked for so long.