PRESS RELEASE
9th April 2024
Caldey Abbey Announces New Leadership and Commitment to Safeguarding
Caldey Island, West Wales – Caldey Island Cistercian Abbey is pleased to announce the appointment of Father Jan Rossey as its new Superior. Father Rossey is committed to fostering openness and transparency within the monastery. As a central pillar of this approach, an independent review into historical claims of child abuse has been commissioned.
“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”, stated Father Jan. “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,” Father Rossey continued. “I have also appointed Maria Battle, formerly the Deputy Children’s Commissioner for Wales, as our new safeguarding lead. Maria is reviewing our safeguarding policies, practice and training to ensure all visitors to Caldey are safe.”
“As we prepare to welcome visitors back to Caldey Island, we remain dedicated to providing a secure environment with effective procedures for safeguarding all who visit, live on, or work on the island.”
The conclusions of the review will be made public after completion.
For More Information
Phone calls
- Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) on 0300 323 0096
- Police on 101
- Maria Battle on 07562 946894
- The Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) – safeguarding@religioussafeguarding.org
- Maria Battle (Caldey Island Safeguarding Officer) – safeguarding@caldey-island.co.uk
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