Hans Zollner, S.J., has dedicated his life to protecting children from the horrific crime of sexual abuse. A psychologist and Jesuit priest, he has guided the church’s efforts to bring healing to survivors and to prevent such abuse from happening again. Father Zollner meets regularly with survivors and as one of the organizers of the Vatican summit on sexual abuse in February helped to lift up their voices.
We spoke to Father Zollner back in March and asked him what concrete steps need to be taken after the summit, how hearing from survivors has shaped his perspective and how he maintains his own spiritual and mental health.
In Signs of the Times, we discuss the new rules for reporting sexual abuse issued by Pope Francis as well as the pope’s remarks on the possibility of women deacons. Plus: the cardinal who went down a manhole to restore power to a homeless shelter, Asia Bibi finally joins her family in Canada and Louis Farrakhan makes anti-Semitic remarks in a Catholic Church.
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Links from the show
Pope Francis issues new rules for accountability and response to allegations of sexual abuse
Pope Francis tells women religious church cannot alter revelation on women’s diaconate
Hundreds in occupied building had no power for days. A Pope Francis aide climbed down a manhole to restore it
Asia Bibi happy to be in Canada but ‘very tired’ after blasphemy ordeal, says friend
Farrakhan refers to ‘Satanic Jews’ in speech at Chicago Catholic Church
Cardinal Cupich apologizes for Farrakhan visit to Chicago Catholic Church
What’s on tap?
Dark and Stormies
Children - they are the joy of families, communities, societies and the Planet.