Faith and Flourishing:

The Catholic Project was a proud co-sponsor of this event, spearheaded by the Institute for Human Flourishing at Harvard University. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was also a co-sponsor.

About the Symposium

This landmark symposium was a marquee event for the April 8 World Day for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Healing and Justice. This event provided participants with a unique opportunity to engage with scholars, public health and mental health care professionals, child abuse prevention experts, and religious leaders of diverse faith traditions to share experiences, discover new resources and identify strategies they can implement to prevent child sexual abuse and foster healing for survivors of abuse in their communities.

Rev. Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, gave the keynote: Uniting the Health Professions and the Faith Community in Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse (at 11:26).

Catholic Participation

The leader of the initiative for the symposium is Jennifer Wortham, a Catholic woman whose two brothers were abused by their parish priest. She has written about her story, and been featured by Vatican News. 

Two trustees of Catholic University were involved in the symposium. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston greeted the symposium, and Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago spoke on the Role of Faith and Faith Leaders in Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse.

Survivor Michael Hoffman offered his testimony, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Thomas Tharayil, of Chicago gave a talk on listening. 

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti of Catholic University gave a talk on Spiritual Healing and Child Sexual Abuse (at 57:29). Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University gave 10 Points on the Theological Dimensions of the Child Sexual Abuse Crisis; Rev. Richard W. Bauer, a Maryknoll priest, spoke on community and faith-based engagement for preventing abuse (around 32:00).

Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall

A one-stop shop for events and educational opportunities. This will be available for a few months after the symposium concludes.

Watch the Program

Presentations from global leaders in the prevention and healing of child sexual abuse.

The April 8 sessions:

The April 9 sessions:

The April 10 Sessions:

Profiles and Perspectives on Healing: