Father Hans Zollner Archives

Big tech must do more to prevent abuse online, Vatican expert says

Apr 12, 2021

A leading expert in child protection has said that as the world goes increasingly digital and the prevalence of online child sexual abuse expands, major tech companies are not doing enough to impose safety measures.

By Elise Ann Allen

Catholic leaders tell Harvard panel victims are ‘true north’ of anti-abuse fight

Apr 10, 2021

On the 100th birthday of his priest abuser, Mark J. Williams visited his abuser’s gravesite and “let it go.” He forgave the man for the pain he had caused.

By John Lavenburg

Leading abuse expert hopes McCarrick report ‘will have consequences’

Nov 11, 2020

According to a leading expert in the Catholic Church’s fight against clerical sexual abuse, the Vatican’s report into laicized ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick is “a good example of how seriously these whole questions of cover up and denial and non-compliance and insincerity should be dealt with,” and believes there are other similar reports to come.

By Inés San Martín

Reform or suppression: Troubled lay movements need outside oversight

Nov 5, 2020

Questions have been raised about the influence some lay groups exercise over their members and about how the church should determine whether the movement should be reformed or dissolved when there is abuse or corruption.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Top expert fears abuse of minors within families has increased during lockdown

Sep 25, 2020

Father Hans Zollner, arguably one of the most prominent Church officials working on abuse prevention, says he understands the frustration some victims feel upon not seeing “immediate impact” from Rome on their cases, while at the same time underlining that “substantial change” has been made.

By Inés San Martín

Papal safeguarding commission meets online and in Rome

Sep 21, 2020

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors met online and, for those who could, in Rome for their plenary assembly Sept. 16-18.

By Carol Glatz

Bigger picture: Media can showcase overlooked portraits of survivors

Sep 4, 2020

In reporting historical and recent abuse of minors, the media should broaden its focus to include portrayals of survivors as active agents of reform, one survivor said.

By Carol Glatz

Expert warns child protection took ‘severe blow’ during pandemic

Jun 19, 2020

In a webinar talk on child protection, a top expert in the field warned that the risks of online child sexual abuse or exploitation has significantly increased during the coronavirus pandemic, yet attention to the issue has faded.

By Elise Ann Allen