Centre for Child Protection Archives

Theologian says clerical sexual abuse ‘always about abuse of power’

Mar 20, 2020

Theologian Karlijn Demasure has been researching the sexual abuse of children, inside and outside the Church, for years. “In all cases it concerns someone who abuses his position of power.”

By Joke Heikens – Katholiek Nieuwsblad

Top anti-abuse expert says ‘paternalistic’ attitude is worse than clericalism

Mar 13, 2020

One of the Catholic Church’s leading experts in child protection has said that more dangerous than clericalism in the clerical abuse crisis is a “paternalistic” attitude within the Church that both devalues laypeople and puts clergy on a pedestal.

By Elise Ann Allen

Walking with ‘suffering Christ’ means standing with victims, says priest

Mar 8, 2020

Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, one of the world’s leading experts on safeguarding minors, said the church is suffering “institutional trauma” from clerical sexual abuse, trauma that it must learn to integrate into its theology and understanding of salvation if it is to overcome it.

By Michelle Martin

Church damaged by abuse, ‘but more damage done to people,’ says abuse expert

Feb 9, 2020

Almost 200 people filled the Driscoll Hall Auditorium on Villanova University’s campus Jan. 29 looking to deepen their understanding about global perspectives on the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.

By Gia Myers

African nun says it’s time for her bishops to face abuse, listen to victims

Feb 14, 2019

An African nun who recently graduated from a course on safeguarding minors has said that ready or not, her culture must face up to the fact that clerical sexual abuse is a problem, and bishops must start listening to victims.

By Elise Harris

Anti-abuse pioneer expects Synod of Bishops to take a stand

Oct 16, 2018

Jesuit Father Hans Zollner of the Gregorian University’s Centre for Child Protection says he believes that the final document of the Oct. 3-28 Synod of Bishops will take up the Church’s clerical sexual abuse scandals.

By Claire Giangravè