CSSA Statement regarding Caldey Abbey
19 December 2024
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (19 December 2024) confirm that it will carry out a review of current safeguarding at Caldey Abbey, Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire. This work will be done ahead of the summer season, and results will later be published on the CSSA website.
The independent agency has taken this step with the full co-operation with the safeguarding leadership of the Abbey. It comes following the publication of the Independent Review by Jan Pickles OBE into allegations of non-recent childhood sexual abuse in the monastic community. There will be subsequent planned reviews by statutory agencies.
In response to Jan Pickles’ published review, Steve Ashley, CEO, CSSA said:
“We were deeply saddened to read of the context and the findings of Jan Pickles’ Review (10 December 2024).
“We know that this report may have elicited profound reactions in those that have been directly impacted, and also in many others who may also be affected. Failures of safeguarding are no less shocking because they are historic.
“As the independent regulatory agency for safeguarding in the Catholic Church today, our purpose, and our concern, is to help ensure this can never happen again.
“We have been kept informed about current safeguarding arrangements in Caldey Abbey and we will continue to monitor this carefully. We acknowledge Jan Pickles’ report findings which evidence that a robust safeguarding structure is in place today; that those leaders in charge of safeguarding are accountable, and the work of safeguarding professionals is now in place. We are closely following other work by statutory agencies.
“To ensure that everything possible is being done to keep people safe, we will, in an unscheduled step, independently audit Caldey Abbey next year. We will publish the results of that audit, part of which will be Caldey Abbey’s requirement to evidence their action taken across all the recommendations of Jan Pickles’, and all other subsequent reviews”.
The CSSA encourage anyone with safeguarding concerns local to Caldey Abbey to make contact via the sources cited on the Independent Review’s FAQ HERE.
Alternatively, you can contact the CSSA audit team at qualityassurance@catholicsafegaurding.org.uk
If you are a survivor of abuse in the Catholic Church, and you would like emotional support, please contact Safe Spaces.
ENDS