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Caldey Island Monk Sexual Abuser Was Warned by Abbot

Jackson Observer
January 5, 2018

http://jacksonobserver.com/caldey-island-monk-sexual-abuser-was-warned-by-abbot/

A monk who sexually abused children on Caldey Island was warned by an abbot that he risked “severe penalties” if his behaviour continued.

Father Thaddeus Kotik‘s abuse was reported to Brother Robert O‘Brien in 1990 but not to police, a letter seen by Wales shows.

Dyfed-Powys Police said it received reports of the abuse in 2014 and 2016.

They investigated but could not prosecute as Kotik died in 1992.

Six women have been paid compensation in an out-of-court settlement by Caldey Abbey following the sexual abuse claims.

Kotik befriended families who regularly visited the island. After gaining the trust of parents he would babysit the children and sexually abuse them, court papers have suggested.

One of them, , said she “bitterly regrets” that her abuser was never jailed.

There are fears there could be more victims and calls have been made for an by the Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors group.

In the letter, Brother Robert showed Kotik‘s behaviour was known about in the monastery, a place which attracts tourists to the small island.

“The conduct of Father Thaddeus Kotik was a serious heartache to me and I rebuked him very sharply, urging on him the welfare of these little ones, warning him of the severe penalties this country rightly imposes,” he wrote.

Brother Robert was also aware of the methods Kotik used.

“He likes to ‘spoil‘ as much as ‘be spoilt‘ so won their friendship with biscuits and sweets. When I began to be anxious I forbade him to go to the (the victim‘s) home,” the letter continued.

“I summoned Father Thaddeus and warned him of the wrong he was doing the children. He was very contrite, assured me it had gone no further.

“I tried to keep an eye on his goings and comings. I think he did improve a while.

“I believed that it was touches through their clothes and sadly touches by them on his body but again through his clothes. It is possible though, I hope not, that Fr Thaddeus did abuse… more seriously.

“I feel fairly sure I can prevent any repetition with the young children on the island.”

in Carmarthen Bay, less than a mile off the Pembrokeshire coast near Tenby, and a Celtic monastery was first established on the island in the 6th Century.

The current abbey was built in 1910 by Anglican Benedictine monks and was passed to the Cistercian order in 1929.

Wales has attempted to Caldey Abbey.

 

 

 

 

 




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