Internationally renowned safeguarding expert Fr Hans Zollner SJ will touch down in Brisbane early next month to embark on a two-week long speaking tour of Australia. Source: ACSL.
Fr Zollner is president of the Institute of Anthropology (IADC) at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and is regarded as one of the Church’s leading voices on improving protections for children and adults at risk across the global Church.
His tour will include a range of events with dioceses and Catholic Religious Australia, as well as engagements associated with Australian Catholic University, which can be booked online.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Fr Zollner said he was looking forward to sharing his reflections with Australian clergy and safeguarding personnel, as well as observing and learning from Australian practitioners.
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited chief executive Ursula Stephens said that the speaking tour is a remarkable opportunity for many Church personnel and those interested in meaningful safeguarding agendas to hear first-hand from a global expert in the field.
“It is important for us to understand how the concept of safeguarding is changing, both within the Church and in civil society,” Dr Stephens said.
“Fr Hans’ experience in applying safeguarding principles in diverse cultural contexts and jurisdictions is important in our missionary Church.“
“Fr Hans will also speak at a fundraising lunch hosted by Ukraine Eparch Cardinal [Mykola] Bychok, and reflect on concerns for children and vulnerable people displaced by war,” Dr Stephens said.
Those based in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne will have the opportunity to book into safeguarding forums with Fr Zollner, hosted by Catholic Religious Australia and the Australian Catholic University.
Other events organised by dioceses will include a full-day safeguarding symposium in the Wagga Wagga Diocese and forums in the archdioceses of Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.
For those unable to join an event in-person, ACSL will be hosting a free webinar with Fr Hans on February 13 on the topic of confronting the reality of abuse.
Details and registrations: ACSL’s website.
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Fr Hans Zollner speaking tour coming to Australia in February 2025 (ACSL)
