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Safeguarding in the Church Universal

A GLOBAL CONTEXT: EPISODE 2

Safeguarding in the Church Universal

Safeguarding Children in the Church Universal focuses on the work of the Centre for Child Protection at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the work of one priest, Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ, whose mission it is to promote the dignity of every child and vulnerable adult and to advance safeguarding measures throughout the Roman Catholic Church Universal - in every culture and in every region on the planet.

A GLOBAL CONTEXT

FULL MODULE GOAL & OBJECTIVE

A GLOBAL CONTEXT

Safeguarding in the Church Universal is the second of three broadcast episodes in A GLOBAL CONTEXT module, in which we look beyond the Catholic Church in the United States to help distinguish challenges and progress in a contemporary, regional Church in the United States from failures related to abuse in the Church Universal.

Objective

Gain working knowledge of global issues, obstacles, and approaches in promoting child safety in the Universal Church

PCEs

Three Episodes

1: Across the Globe: The Advance of Human Rights in the Digital Age

2: Safeguarding in the Church Universal

3: A Brief History of Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church

Today's Episode

EPISODE 2: SAFEGUARDING IN THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL

Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ

MAIN FEATURE

SAFEGUARDING IN THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL

Promoting Dignity and Protection for Children and Vulnerable Adults

in Every Region, Every Culture on the Planet

What is the CCP?

The Centre for Child Protection promotes safeguarding in every region and culture on the planet, reaching out with training and resources and gathering wisdom from all corners of the world.

How Far Is the CCP Reach?

It's one thing to say that the Centre for Child Protection reaches every region and culture on the globe. It's another to compile a travel journal by looking at just some of its workshops.

MORE ABOUT FR. ZOLLNER'S WORK

The Centre for Child Protection

The Centre for Child Protection of the Pontifical Gregorian University located in the Piazza della Pilotta, close to the Trevi Fountain, in Rome) is committed to raising awareness of abuse and to promoting best practices for protecting the safety of children and vulnerable adults in the Roman Catholic Church and in societies around the globe.


The CCP partners with institutions worldwide to provide men and women with the training needed to promote and implement safeguarding measures in their countries by a blended learning program and workshops on-site or in Rome, participating in research projects, and supporting the development of prevention structures in institutions.

OFFERED BY THE CENTRE FOR CHILD PROTECTION

Diploma in Safeguarding

Licentiate in Safeguarding

Licentiate in Safeguarding

 This interdisciplinary and interactive five-month program forms advisors, officers, and trainers for the field of safeguarding.

More Info

Licentiate in Safeguarding

Licentiate in Safeguarding

Licentiate in Safeguarding

 This multidisciplinary, two-year program helps scholars promote child safeguarding practices in their country of origin or ministry.

More Info

Safeguarding & Technology

Safeguarding & Technology

Safeguarding & Technology

The CCP can bring together experience and expertise from every corner of the world, like this one in 2017.

Archive

Blended Learning

Safeguarding & Technology

Safeguarding & Technology

In this CCP program, online resources are combined with face-to-face classroom sessions organized by local institutions 

More Info

Our Guest

BIOGRAPHY

Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ

A German Jesuit, Fr. Zollner is the President of the Centre for Child Protection of the Pontifical Gregorian University. In this role, he travels the world (70 countries, and counting) training bishops, clergy, and other ministries in best practices for child protection and the protection of vulnerable adults. 


Fr. Zollner also serves as a  member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and as a consultor of the Congregation for Clergy. Fr. Zollner has a doctoral degree in theology, is a psychologist and licensed psychotherapist, and is particularly interested in human formation in the training of seminarians and religious worldwide. He is a friend to Spirit Fire survivors from many countries.

CCP President

Selected Reading

TWO HIGHLIGHTS FROM FR. ZOLLNER'S WORK

The Spiritual Wounds of Child Abuse

Fr. Zollner's article, “The Spiritual Wounds of Sexual Abuse,” was translated and published in English in La Civilta Cattolica. As is his work, this article is a clear and powerful statement of Fr. Zollner and the CCP's approach to child protection. It is practical, honest and deeply caring with a keen sense of history and cultural impact. In one of the best articles we've found on the dynamics behind the crisis, Fr. Zollner explores how predatory priests have been able  to abuse any vulnerable person – child or adult. He details the contributing factors in how abuse has been able to flourish in the Church. This article is a clear assessment of the pitfalls that foster abuse and best practices promoting change.

It’s worth the read. Here's a preview: 


The battle against sexual abuse will last for a while, so we must not delude ourselves into thinking that the solution simply lies in introducing new rules and guidelines. What is needed is a radical conversion and a decisive attitude to render justice to the victims and  to make sure it never happens again. The message of the God of Jesus Christ is the source and strength of our efforts and for our continual  reflection on the core of the Gospel: because God loves the little ones  and the vulnerable most of all….

Full Article (Link)

The Damage Done

Speaking at Villanova University, Fr. Zollner explained with conviction and compassion that due to clergy sexual abuse:


...much damage has been done to the Church but more damage has been done to human beings.... many people are engaged in the same mission: a safer church and a safer world.

CNS Article

Your Turn!

Your Assignment

Questions for your personal journal and for discussions with others

Question 1: Doesn't Seem Broke

You resign your job running the UN (see last week) because it's too stressful and, in retirement, decide to devote your many language skills to promote child safeguarding by working with the Church. Your first assignment lands you in a wealthy, stable, rural setting in sub-Saharan Africa where a girl may be wed as young as age ten as a practical way for a father to secure a her lifelong financial support. The child protection program you are presenting threatens what seems to locals like an obviously successful system, which insulates them from the economic and social tumult they see in neighboring areas, where, by the way, child marriage has been outlawed with success. Your hosts argue that, because you are from the West, you cannot possibly know what is a moral good for people with their unique set of circumstances. Admittedly, you can recognize compelling differences. Write the community your best effort to persuade them to change radically. 

Question 2: What's Missing?

List all the reasons you think child abuse has occurred in the Church. Then, please read or reread Fr. Zollner's The Spirit Wounds of Child Abuse (above). What main factors does Fr. Zollner enumerate that contribute to child abuse in the Church? How does his list compare to yours? What was the most significant difference between the lists? Share the lists with a family member, friend, or pastor. Did they know about this work in the Church beyond the United States? Record their and your own reactions in your journal.

Question 3: Scripture

What are five Scriptural verses that you think address the damage created by child abuse in the Church? Using these verses, write and share a prayer for the survivors and their family members, assuring them of their dignity and their rightful place at the table of the Lord. Why don't you share this prayer and pray it with family or friends? Or, share it with your pastor to see if the parish might pray it together? 

Question 4: Why Not?

This broadcast is for you to follow and learn - and heal from the impact of clergy abuse in our Church on your life. It is also for your family and friends to follow and discuss. It's set up in modules so you can do so in convenient timing for your own lives. Not near each other? Is your parish better served with small discussions online, rather than evening gatherings at the center or church? Here are some of our favorite ways to connect online for faith discussions. Why not start your own online discussion group?

Connect!

OPTIONAL ACTION ITEMS FOR YOU

Optional: Action Items

Pick One or More, Improve Your World Today

  1. Make a list of everything the Church should be doing to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safe when in its care. Go to the Centre for Child Protection's website and see what on your list they are doing -- and not doing. 
  2. Share this page or a video from the Centre for Child Protection website (there's one of Marie Collins!) with friends or family members, or on your social media feed. 

Nomination

Do you know someone (it may be you) who used technology to help improve their world? Nominate them today. We'll include them in the January 2021 Safety Hackathon Gallery! 

Easy Nomination Form

COMING SOON: MORE EPISODES ON EVERYTHING

Next Week

Rev. Stephen J. Rossetti, Phd, MDiv, provides a brief history of child abuse  in the Catholic Church, since the earliest documented incidents through the turn of the century.

See Our Whole Agenda

Did you know our whole agenda is posted right here for you?

A CLOSING REMINDER JUST FOR YOU

Don't forget the most important job you have at every broadcast session. Start off (or finish off) with this one-minute check-in with YOU!

The End. Thank You!

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