Fr Hans Zollner SJ resigns from Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

Fr Zollner at Ealing Abbey. 10/2018 Image ICN

Father Hans Zollner SJ has publicly announced his resignation from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. He is moving to new roles as consultant for the Diocese of Rome, as well as director of the Institute of Anthropology (IADC).

In a note on Twitter today, Fr Zollner published the following statement about his resignation, stating that he was unable to work at the commission any longer, because of several concerns, especially issues of 'responsibility, compliance, accountability and transparency'.

The full text of Fr Zollner's statement follows:

After serving as a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors for the past nine years, I submitted my resignation which was accepted on 14 March 2023.

I would like to thank the President, the members and the staff of the commission, both past and present, who share in the hope of building a safer church.

The protection of children and vulnerable adults must be at the heart of the Catholic Church's mission. That was the hope I and many others shared since the commission was first established in 2014. However, in my work in the commission, I have noticed issues that need to be urgently addressed and which have made it impossible for me to continue further.

Over the last years, I have grown increasingly concerned with how the commission, in my perception, has gone about achieving that goal, particularly in the area of responsibility, compliance, accountability and transparency. I am convinced that these are the principles that any church institution, let along the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, is bound to uphold.

With regard to compliance, there has been a lack of clarity regarding the selection process of members and staff and their respective roles and responsibilities.

Another area of concern is that of financial accountability, which I believe in inadequate. It is paramount for the commission to clearly show how funds are used in its work.

Furthermore there should be transparency on how decisions are taken in the commission. Too often,. there was insufficient information and vague communication with members on how particular decisions were taken.

Lastly, I am unaware of any regulations that govern the relationship between the commission and the Dicastry for the `Doctrine wow Faith , since the commission was placed within the Dicastry last June.

It is due to these structural and practical issues that led me to disassociate myself from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

I intend to focus on my new role as consultant for the Diocese of Rome, as well as director of the Institute of Anthropology (IADC) in the pursuit of making the world a safer place for children and vulnerable persons through our academic and scientific endeavours.

I remain open to discussing Safeguarding with the Commission and hope that the aforementioned issues can be resolved in a sustainable way.

Today, the Diocese of Rome announced several new appointments, including my role as consultant to the Diocese's newly established office dedicated to the protection of minors and vulnerable persons.

The creation of the office within the Diocese of Rome, which is among several key changes introduced by Pope Francis in his recent apostolic constitution In Ecclesiarum Communione, is a testament to the fact that safeguarding must be a priority for all Catholic dioceses around the world.

I am committed to listening to survivors and to promoting education and formation in the field of safeguarding, and look forward to continuing to do so in this new role.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley OFM, President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said this morning that the Holy Father had accepted Fr Zollner's resignation "with the deepest gratitude for his many years of service".

He pointed out that Fr 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, the cardinal pointed out Fr 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 mentioned Fr Zollner's participation in the summit on Child Protection promoted by the Vatican in February 2019.

He also highlighted the Jesuit's extensive 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.