Iceland Catholic abuse scandal deepens; Catholic Church in Iceland ready to begin abuse investigation

ICE News News from the Nordics
24 June 2011

There is evidence to suggest that sexual abuse committed by the head of a Catholic school in Reykjavik was known to the church as early as 1963, but no action was taken.

The sexual abuse at Landakotsskoli seems to have gone on for around 10 years.

In related news, around 20 windows were last night smashed at the Catholic bishop’s residence and police say it is extremely likely the vandalism is related to the Catholic abuse scandal. Nobody has been arrested so far.

The Frettatiminn newspaper, which originally broke the story which was also reported on IceNews, continued its exposé today. Reverend George was the head of Landakotsskoli for 30 years and the newspaper contains interviews with two women who claim to have been abused by George while students.

Catholic Church in Iceland ready to begin abuse investigation

11 November 2011

The Catholic Church investigatory committee looking into abuse cases in Iceland plans to start interviewing before the end of the month.

‘Several’ individuals have apparently been in contact with the Catholic abuse committee, which advertised for information, witnesses and complaints a week ago.

“Yes there are several who have been in touch and we are preparing to star the first interviews and I predict we will be able to start them before December. After that we will talk with everyone who makes contact with us,” committee chair Hjordis Hakonardottir told RUV.

The committee is intended to investigate the action and conduct of the Catholic Church in Iceland following complaints of abuse carried out by ordained servants and other church employees and to gauge whether mistakes, omissions, deliberate cover-ups or attempts to silence people were made in the aftermath of abuse complaints. The investigation will extend to the Landakotsskoli Catholic school and abuses alleged there until 2005. Hakonardottir says that the committee has already been going over documentary evidence.

“Now we are in the position that we are ready to start discussing with people,” she says; admitting that more evidence could still come to light which will need to be factored in.

Anybody with evidence, experience or testimony they believe the committee would find useful can send a letter to P.O. Box 5, 121 Reykjavík, Iceland or email [ rannsoknkk @ gmail . com ] before 1st December.