Hans Zollner, SJ: "We need people who are serious about safeguarding minors".Hans Zollner: "The Holy See is committed to the safety of minors".Pope confirms policy to fight sexual abuse with definitive "Vos estis lux mundi".During the morning of March 29, 2023, Cardinal Sean O'Malley OFM, President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors the resignation of the Jesuit priest was made public Hans Zollner to his duties as a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors "after reflecting on his recent appointment as consultant for the Diocesan Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons of the Diocese of Rome and all his other responsibilities".
A resignation that, according to the letter sent by Cardinal O'Malley, the Holy Father "had accepted "with the deepest gratitude for his many years of service".
For his part, in a personal statement, Hans Zollner S.I. has stated that his departure is due to internal issues in the functioning of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Among the reasons that have "prevented him from continuing," Zollner points to issues related to the "areas of responsibility, compliance, accountability and transparency" that, in his opinion, have not been properly developed in the Commission. He also refers to issues such as the lack of communication and transparency in some of the Commission's decisions and the lack of clarity between the competencies of the Commission and those of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Hans Zollner was a member, from the very beginning, of this commission created by Pope Francis to deal with and prevent cases of abuse within the Catholic Church. During these years, as the cardinal president of this commission wanted to specify, Zollner "has helped to shape and implement many of the projects and programs that found their origin in the deliberations of the Commission". Most notably, he points to Zollner's participation in the summit on Child Protection promoted by the Vatican in February 2019.
He also highlighted the Jesuit's enormous work in raising awareness through his many trips to train members of the Church around the world in the prevention of child abuse and the creation of safe environments.
Zollner, considered one of the foremost experts in the area of sexual abuse prevention and the protection of minors in the Church.
As pointed out by the Hans ZollnerHe will continue to focus on his role as consultant to the Diocesan Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons of the Diocese of Rome, as well as on his task as director of the Institute of Anthropology (IADC). Institute of Anthropology. Interdisciplinary studies on human dignity and care for vulnerable people. (IADC) of the Pontifical Gregorian University of which he is director. Trades through which, according to his letter, he will continue in "the quest to make the world a safer place for children and vulnerable people" through our academic and scientific endeavors."
