The announcement that Caldey Island has commissioned an independent review into alleged historical child sex abuse has been called a ‘small way forward’ by the founder of a campaign group.
Kevin O'Connell who founded the Caldey Island Survivors' Campaign group, has been calling for an inquiry since 2019 into allegations he, along with others were abused on the monastic island just off Tenby.
“Our campaign and all my supporters and friends have put so much pressure on Caldey Island they needed to do something,” remarked Mr O'Connell.
“There is still no independent safeguarding and that is what we are fighting for.
“Our voices are being heard but not listened to. It's a small way forward,” he added.
Dozens of people claimed they were sexually abused by a monk - Father Thaddeus Kotik whilst he was living on the island.
Father Kotik died in 1992 without facing any criminal charges into allegations he abused children between 1977 and 1982.
Six of his alleged victims were compensated by Caldey Abbey in an out-of-court settlement in 2017.
The inquiry announced by Father Jan Rossey, the new superior at Caldey Island Abbey, will be led by Jan Pickles OBE, former Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner at South Wales Police.
Former Deputy Children's Commissioner for Wales, Maria Battle, who recently left her role as Chief Executive of the Hywel Dda University Health Board, will be the safeguarding lead for the inquiry.
Father Rossey remarked: “In common with many other organisations, Caldey Abbey has, in the past, received disclosures and allegations involving members of the monastic community about their behaviour towards children.
“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.
“This review is about taking responsibility, learning from the past, and building a safe environment for everyone.
"Maria is reviewing our safeguarding policies, practice and training to ensure all visitors to Caldey are safe.
“We remain dedicated to providing a secure environment with effective procedures for safeguarding all who visit, live on, or work on the island.”