Jesuit and abuse expert Hans Zollner sees the sexual abuse of nuns as “a burning issue.” At a press conference held by the Catholic charity Missio Aachen on Friday, Zollner said that, unlike ten years ago, the issue can now be discussed openly in many countries. Missio has contributed to ensuring that today, the discussion is not only about child protection, but also about the protection of women in religious communities.
Over the past five years (2020 to 2025), the charity has supported the training, empowerment, and safeguarding of women religious. After intensive project work, Missio is now seeing increased awareness of the issue of sexual abuse of religious women, improved communication skills on this topic, help for those affected, and preventive measures.
Specifically, Missio President Dirk Bingener explained that the aid organisation had supported 534 training projects over the past five years, 107 of which were specifically for women religious. This reached around 80,000 women religious and novices, who were supported in living independently, self-determinedly, and strongly. This indirectly reduces the risk of violence.
Zollner said that a change in mentality and culture is needed, which will not happen “overnight.” Missio will therefore continue to invest in awareness-raising measures, explained safeguarding officer Johanna Streit. More local contact points for victims and training institutions are needed. Missio wants to help establish culturally sensitive and affordable training opportunities in the various language groups and to set up and expand networks.
