Survivors warn reforms are ‘on paper only’ as Caldey prepares for Easter crowds

CAMPAIGNERS say Caldey Island remains unsafe more than a year after an independent review into historic abuse, as survivors accuse church authorities and trustees of prioritising appearances over meaningful change.

The claims come as the island prepares to reopen to the public for Easter, when campaigners say thousands visitors could travel to the monastery island off Tenby.

Caldey Abbey, long promoted as a place of peace, prayer and retreat, has been at the centre of serious safeguarding concerns for years. Survivors say abuse was enabled by isolation, secrecy and a culture in which those who spoke out were ignored, disbelieved or actively discouraged.

A long history of abuse

One of the most prominent cases involved sex offender and cleaning company boss Paul Ashton, who arrived on Caldey in 2003. Survivors say Ashton groomed families over several years, using access to children and trust built through the monastery community.

Natalie Roberts, who has spoken publicly about her experiences, previously described how Ashton ingratiated himself with her family, including rehoming her cat in an apparent attempt to get closer. Ashton was arrested in 2011 after being recognised from a “Most Wanted” television programme.

Campaigners say Ashton’s presence on the island for years, despite concerns being raised, is emblematic of deeper safeguarding failures.

Independent review and unfulfilled expectations

In response to growing pressure, Caldey Abbey commissioned an independent safeguarding review led by Jan Pickles OBE. The review was published in December 2024 and examined historical abuse and safeguarding arrangements on the island.

The review found that victims had been treated with cruelty, hostility and disbelief, and that safeguarding systems were inadequate. All recommendations were accepted by the Abbey’s trustees.

However, survivors now say little has changed in practice.

“On paper everything looks fine,” one campaigner said. “But nothing meaningful has changed for victims.”

Survivor accounts: abuse, compensation and silence

Rebecca Philippart, one of the survivors who contributed to the review, said she was abused for around five and a half years until 1987 and again in 1989 or 1990. She said her abuser was Father Thaddeus, who later died in 1992.

In 2018, Philippart received £9,500 in compensation, which she said was handled by Father Daniel, the abbot at the time. She said further disclosures and information emerged after that payment, but she has since been denied additional redress.

Her husband, Eduardo Ormeno, said both had attended numerous meetings with church authorities and trustees.

“No one has really looked at the wider issue,” he said. “There were paedophiles living there until October 2025. That has never been properly examined.”

Philippart said she attempted to contact island residents and workers but was met with what she described as a “wall of silence”.

“They said I was lying,” she said. “Even though what happened has now been proven.”

Campaigners allege that fear of losing homes or livelihoods has prevented people from speaking out. They claim some islanders and boatmen were aware of abuse but never came forward.

DBS checks and public-facing roles

One of the most contentious issues remains vetting.

Campaigners say monks have daily contact with visitors, guests and island residents, including entering cottages, mixing with families, providing sacraments and offering pastoral guidance. They argue this makes them public-facing and therefore subject to Enhanced DBS checks.

They claim that while DBS checks have now been completed for monks, only one monk, Father Yann, has undergone an Enhanced DBS check.

Caldey Abbey disputes that monks are public-facing in the sense required for Enhanced DBS checks and says appropriate vetting is in place.

Tenancy agreements and transparency

Another key recommendation of the Pickles review was greater transparency around island housing and tenancy agreements.

Campaigners say these agreements have still not been made public, leaving residents fearful of repercussions if they speak out.

“They are scared of losing their homes or their jobs,” one survivor said.

Abbey trustees: progress claimed, NDAs denied

In a detailed statement to The Herald, Caldey Abbey Charity said it takes safeguarding extremely seriously and recognises the profound harm caused by historical abuse.

The trustees confirmed that all recommendations from the Pickles review were accepted and are subject to ongoing oversight.

They said the Abbey was audited in June 2025 by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, with the report published in December 2025. The CSSA assessed Caldey as “results being achieved”, while noting the need for continued vigilance. A further audit is scheduled for 2027.

On compensation, trustees said ex-gratia payments are considered with legal advice in line with Charity Commission guidance, and that therapeutic support has been offered to those who came forward.

They denied the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence safeguarding concerns and said there are no NDAs involving island residents, contractors or boatmen linked to safeguarding matters. They also denied that properties on Caldey or in Tenby were provided as part of any settlement.

The Abbey provided links to safeguarding policies, the Pickles review, and audit documents on its website.

Regulators and church oversight

The Charity Commission confirmed it received historic safeguarding concerns relating to Caldey Abbey last year. After assessing the information and engaging with trustees, it provided regulatory advice and guidance but did not open a statutory inquiry.

The Commission said it would take seriously any concerns about misuse of NDAs or governance failures.

The Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia said Caldey Abbey is an independent charity under the Cistercian Order and that safeguarding oversight is supported nationally through the Religious Life Safeguarding Service and inspected by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.

It said Archbishop Mark had met survivors to offer pastoral and spiritual support and remained open to meeting anyone harmed within the Catholic Church.

Campaigners, however, allege that in private meetings the Archbishop expressed disgust and embarrassment at what had happened, but ultimately declined to intervene in governance or remove his blessing from the Abbey.

“Everyone points elsewhere”

Survivors say responsibility is continually deflected. The Abbey points to audits and policies. Regulators say they advised but did not escalate, and the Church says Caldey is independent.

“And in the middle are survivors who still don’t feel safe,” one campaigner said.

With Caldey reopening to the public for Easter, and tens of thousands of visitors expected, campaigners say the stakes could not be higher.

“We are not trying to tear anything down,” Natalie Roberts said. “We just want the truth acknowledged, accountability, and real safeguarding — not just words on paper.”

Local Authority ‘offered to assist’

In a lengthy statement sent to this newspaper, Pembrokeshire County Council’s said that its safeguarding role is set in statute (Social Services Well-being (Wales) Act 2014) and national guidance, the Wales Safeguarding Procedures, which set out the processes and expectations for responding to concerns of abuse and neglect.

Additionally, PCC said that the Authority’s safeguarding role is focused on any other specific statutory functions that may apply depending on the circumstances (for example, where PCC is commissioning services or has a direct role in a regulated activity).

It said: “There is no regulated activity on the Island i.e. care provision(s) or schools, thus no regulatory oversight as we would recognise it. PCC does not ‘regulate’ Caldey Island as an organisation simply because it is located within Pembrokeshire.

“The Caldey Act 1990 formally assigns Caldey Island to the district of South Pembrokeshire for the matters relating to local and parliamentary purposes and this Act also brings the Island under the jurisdiction of the Coroner and Health Board.

“PCC has not received any risk assessments, safeguarding plans or assurance documents connected to Caldey Islands reopening and visitor season. Responsibility for operational visitor safeguarding and site management rests with the body that operates Caldey Island’s visitor operations.

“The Council understands campaigners have raised concerns about safeguarding and visitor safety on Caldey Island and that they have sought assurance about implementation of the recommendations arising from the independent Caldey Abbey Review.

“Campaigners have been in touch with PCC Officers to share their frustrations, but no meetings have taken place to date.

“PCC has however offered to assist Caldey Abbey as is appropriate.”

If anyone has concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, young person or an adult at risk, PCC’s advice is to report it immediately to our Child Care Assessment Team: 01437 776444; Adult Safeguarding Team: 01437 776056 or Social Services Emergency Duty Team. In the event of immediate harm contact 999. PCC’s safeguarding guidance is clear: do not assume someone else will report; take positive action and report.