He is working on protecting minors

Meet German Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, SJ, Academic Vice Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Father Zollner, a licensed psychologist and psychotherapist is professor in the Gregorian University’s Institute of Psychology. He is President of the Centre for Child Protection at the Gregorian and a Member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Over the past decade, Father Zollner has become known around the world for his research, scholarship and work in the area of the Safeguarding of Minors and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention as well as in the area of Spirituality of Priesthood and Consecrated Life.

In this wide-ranging interview with Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, Father Zollner discusses the Church's response to the abuse crisis and the Church's leadership role in establishing protocols and programs to protect vulnerable persons. Among the topics discussed are the relationship of spirituality, religious formation and psychology; the importance of human formation of those preparing for ministry in the Church; sexuality, celibacy and homosexuality.