IN the wake of shocking child abuse claims at Caldey Island the current Abbot has issued a statement.

It was revealed this week that The Guardian newspaper had spoken to three women who had been abused by Father Thaddeus Kotik in the 1970s and 1980s.

They were amoung six victims who recently took out a high court case against Caldey Abbey.

Today (Wednesday) the Abbot, Brother Daniel van Santvoort, issued a statement via Facebook.

He states: "It was with great sadness and regret that we heard allegations of historical sexual abuse involving Father Thaddeus who died in 1992. Any allegations of child abuse should be reported to the appropriate authorities and investigated. This clearly did not happen and we apologise.

"The claimed abuses took place between 1971 and 1987. At this time the present Caldey Abbey Community was not on the island, a fact which exacerbated the difficulties of the claims. When I came to the island in 1990, and then became Abbot in 1999, I knew nothing of any such claims, but was made aware of them in 2014 when one claimant contacted me.

"I forwarded the matter first to the police and then our solicitors, as due to the complexities, it was a matter which lay outside the realms of my abilities. I acted at every step with compassion and empathy, and expressed my regret and sorrow at any such abuse. I flew to Australia to meet two claimants expressly to apologise.

"I confirm that as a result of the communication between our solicitor and the claimants, Caldey Abbey compensated six people out of court in 2016, some forty years later. I am truly sorry that my predecessors did not report allegations to the Police and I am sorry that as an Abbey, it has taken so long to compensate for these claims.

"Caldey Abbey has worked to ensure this can never be repeated. We now have robust child protection procedures in place on the Island including a child protection co-ordinator.

"We are working with the Children`s Commissioner for Wales who has advised that anybody with concerns should contact the Police or the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the Truth Project so that allegations can be considered sensitively and with expertise. We will fully co- operate with this Inquiry and any other investigation.

"As Abbot, I very much regret any harm caused to any layperson as a result of the actions of one of my Community, and strive to ensure that every visitor to Caldey enjoys only peace, comfort and the feeling of wellbeing."