Statement relating to Caldey Island
In December 2024, The Caldey Abbey Review was published. This was an independent review commissioned by Caldey Island Abbot, Father Jan Rossey, to investigate incidents of child sexual abuse that took place on Caldey Island between 1960 and 2010. A copy of the Review can be read here.* Father Jan Rossey has recorded a video apology to victims of abuse which can be viewed here, on the Caldey Island Wales website.
The United Reformed Church (URC) National Synod of Wales is aware that a handful of URC churches in Wales organised visits to Caldey for young people and adults between 1972 and 2004. The URC National Synod of Wales is in contact with the Caldey Island Safeguarding Lead, Allison Parkinson.
If you, or somebody you know, visited Caldey as a young person and would find it helpful to talk to someone about the contents of the Review, or have any safeguarding concerns, please contact Diana Taylor, Synod Safeguarding Officer, at diana.taylor.urcwales@urc.org.uk or 07883 361093. Alternatively, please contact Allison Parkinson, Caldey Island Safeguarding Lead at allison@caldey-island.co.uk.
If you, or someone you know has been the victim of childhood sexual abuse in any context and would like support, you might want to contact Safe Space, an organisation that provides support to victims of childhood sexual abuse.
For all media enquiries, please contact the URC Press Office on 07976 753950.
*(Trigger warning: The Review describes sexual abuse of children, and its contents are distressing).