Brother Titus Keet, a 77-year-old Catholic monk, caused quite a stir when he sent 200 photos of himself naked on secluded beaches in Caldey Island to a holidaymaker, Lisa Love. The incident made headlines when Keet was arrested by police in September 2024, but later it was discovered that he had left the island for Belgium. Despite the initial uproar, the Crown Prosecution Service has recently announced that they will not be pursuing any charges against Keet, deeming his actions to be of a spiritual nature.
Lisa Love, the recipient of Keet's photos, was shocked and disgusted by the verdict, accusing the CPS of showing favoritism towards Keet due to his religious status. As a devout Catholic herself, she couldn't understand how a monk could justify prancing around naked on a beach, and questioned where in the Bible it condones such behavior. Love had been visiting Caldey Island since 2011, often staying at the abbey with her elderly parents. It was during one of her trips that she met Keet and struck up a friendship with him.
However, things took a disturbing turn when Keet started sending Love indecent photos of himself exercising on the beach. Despite reporting his behavior to the monastery and being assured that he had been disciplined, Keet continued to send the photos. Love, feeling violated and appalled, decided to pursue the matter with the police. However, she was met with disappointment when the prosecutor informed her that the CPS would not be pursuing the case as they did not see anything sexual in Keet's relationship with her.
Keet, on the other hand, claimed that his photos were not meant to be sexual in nature but rather as a form of art, showcasing his body in the light. He admitted to being naive and unaware of the impact his actions might have on others. This incident has shed light on the dark history of Caldey Island, where it was reported that over 50 children were abused by monks in the 1970s and '80s. As a result, a review was conducted, and a "no touch" policy was implemented between the monks and visitors. Some victims were also offered compensation.
Love, along with other survivors, has submitted a claim under the victims' Right to Review scheme. The Caldey Island Survivors' Campaign has been vocal about their disappointment with how the police handled this case, stating that they have failed the victims and made the island an unsafe destination for visitors. The chair of the campaign, Kevin O'Connell, believes that if it were anyone other than a monk who had sent indecent photos, they would have faced legal consequences. The CPS has declined to comment on the case until all proceedings are complete.
