A monk operated in an “obvious location” on an island off the coast of Wales and was able to abuse children over a 40-year period, despite repeated complaints from his victims, an independent investigation has concluded. .
Father Thaddeus Kotic groomed, raped and sexually assaulted young boys and girls on Calde Island, home to a community of Cistercian monks and a popular destination for day-trippers.
The Guardian revealed in 2017 that Kotick, who arrived on the island in the late 1940s, targeted visitors and residents, but was not prosecuted until his death in 1992. He also revealed that other sex offenders lived on the island.
During an independent investigation, 20 victims of child sexual abuse were identified. The Caldy Island Survivors Campaign told the inquiry it had been contacted by 55 victims.
The report, due to be published on Tuesday morning, was seen by the Guardian and said: The serious issue of repeated and frequent allegations of child sexual abuse by T.K. [Thaddeus Kotik] Not reported to statutory authorities as required by law. ”
The report said these were “missed opportunities” and added: “His apparent reluctance to challenge TK to his face has allowed him to continue his attacks for more than 40 years in plain view of some communities on the island. Together we spent quality time alone with the children, and both adults and children were well-groomed with gifts and attention.”
The investigation, conducted by former police inspector and South Wales crime commissioner Jan Pickles, found that victims who revealed they had been abused on the island were “not in denial, suspicion or lying”. “I was struck by a widespread belief that… For those directly or indirectly affected, the monastery's methods will be seen as hostile and cruel. ”
Pickles highlighted ongoing concerns and made a series of recommendations, including:
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To protect all parties, contact between the monastic community and visitors should be formalized and informal contact, including selfies, should be suspended.
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Current safeguards should be strengthened by including survivors of child sexual abuse on the island's board.
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Appointment of an independent visiting designated protection expert.
It further said that at a training session in March 2024, there was a “lack of clarity from the monastic community” regarding contact with the general public, “suggesting the need for a clear 'no-touch' policy”.
The report states: “Incidental physical contact must be declared by the person concerned and recorded within the same day it occurs. This record must be reviewed and any patterns identified and acted upon accordingly. .”
Kevin O'Connell, founder of the Caldy Island Survivors Campaign, welcomed the review but said it did not go far enough because its recommendations were not legally binding. The campaign is calling for a public inquiry into the abuse.
The investigation looked into allegations of sexual and physical abuse of children from the late 1960s to 1992. Some victims reported their allegations at the time to police, convents, or priests in their home parishes.
Kotick arrived on the island in the late 1940s and his remains are buried on the island. The review says: “Victim testimony suggests that TK engaged in continuous and extensive abuse of children, often in the 'plain sight' of others. The victims said he took them to the beach, woods and gardens.
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“Some say they were sexually abused several times a day…TK's interest in children was not hidden, and it appears that adults on the island tolerated it.”
Allegations of child sexual abuse by Kotick were brought to the attention of the abbot at the time by a family in the 1980s. The report states: “These serious allegations were managed within the monastery and were not made known to the police. The authorization agreed by the abbot to protect children living on or visiting the island was was to remain within the confines of the monastery.
“Neither the police nor the child guidance center were informed. It is within the abbot's authority to ask or require TK to leave the monastery, and failure to do so will result in We could also consider expulsion from the religious order.”
An adult witness witnessed Kotick sexually abusing the girl. He wrote a letter to the abbot saying, “This cannot continue,'' but there was no reply. The school principal took issue with the girl's ordeal, but the abbot asked the school principal not to report the matter to the police, citing Mr. Kotick's age, health, and the impact it would have on him.
One of the victims said she had confessed to her parish priest that Mr. Kotick had abused her as a child. The priest warned him that if he told anyone else he would be sent to hell.
Allegations arose that Kotick acted as a contact for other perpetrators. Four men who were convicted or suspected of sex offenses stayed in Caldi for extended periods of time. The review states: “The lack of investigation has exposed the monastery to unknown risks. On a tourist island that necessarily welcomes others, it appears reckless in the eyes of critics.”
When announcing the review in April, Cardi Abbey said she was committed to transparency, openness and healing under her new leadership. The company said it was commissioning the review with the aim of “creating a safe environment for everyone”.
