The development of a comprehensive theology, with the child at its centre, is needed in the Catholic Church, says Father Hans Zollner, S.J.
A theology of the child can and should be developed in order to lay a foundation for promoting a safeguarding spirituality and a culture of protection and prevention in the Catholic Church.
Rev. Hans Zollner, S.J., is the director of the Institute of Anthropology (IADC) in Rome, Italy. He has a doctoral degree in theology, is a psychologist and licensed psychotherapist, and is particularly interested in human formation in the training of seminarians and religious worldwide.
In 2023, the Collaborative Forum on Faith and the Family convenes faith leaders, practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders to consider questions related to Christian faith communities and their contributions to both the propagation and prevention of child-family separation throughout history. With a particular focus on the Roman Catholic faith, contributors consider the extent to which religious belief systems and practices have justified or opposed the separation of children from families in a variety of historical and regional contexts. Contributors also explore the role of the Catholic Church in supporting vulnerable children, families, and communities and preventing unnecessary child-family separation.
With thanks to the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues, an initiative of Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
