VILLANOVA TASK FORCE ON THE SEXUAL ABUSE CRISIS
We are a group of Villanova University faculty members and program directors committed to understanding the root causes of the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church and to encouraging change at all levels in the Church in order to keep children safe from abuse.
In addition to trying to foster internal reform within the Catholic Church, we organize campus events that draw upon national and international experts on the sexual abuse crisis, as well as sponsor local events that contribute to our understanding of the crisis.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dr. David Willis, “The Foundations of Human Flourishing: Implications for Children” - Webinar
Date: September 24, 2026
Time: 7-8 pm (Eastern Time)
David W Willis, M.D., is a Professor of Pediatrics at Georgetown University’s new Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities and the founder and director of the Nurture Connection, which promotes positive and nurturing early relationships for children as the foundation for healthier and more connected communities. Dr. Willis is also the current Co-Chair of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Forum on Children’s Wellbeing.
Drs. Timothy Brunk and Christiane Lang Hearlson, “The Children, Liturgy, Ecology, and Renewal Project: How 13 Churches and Schools Have Fostered Children’s Love of God’s Good Creation" - Webinar
Date: November 9, 2026
Time: 7-8 pm (Eastern Time)
Timothy Brunk, Ph.D. and Christiane Lang Hearlson, Ph.D., are faculty members in the Theology and Religious Studies Department at Villanova University. Drs. Brunk and Hearlson were recently awarded a four-year, $1.2 million Lilly Endowment grant to establish the Children, Liturgy, Ecology, and Renewal (CLEAR) project, which involves representatives from 13 Philadelphia area churches working on ways to interject ecological themes and considerations into children’s liturgical celebrations.
All webinars sponsored by the Villanova University Task Force on the Sexual Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church are free, open to the public and do not require any preregistration.
MEMBERSHIP
Co-Chair
Mark Graham
Department of Theology & Religious Studies
Co-Chair
Sandra Hassink, MD
Past President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Mark Doorley
Ethics Program
Elizabeth Dowdell
Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
John Edwards
University Ministry
Allan Fitzgerald, OSA
Augustinian Institute
Kathryn Getek Soltis
Center for Peace & Justice Education
Mark Graham
Department of Theology & Religious Studies
Lowell Gustafson
Department of Political Science
Sandra Hassink, MD
Past President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Matthew Manion
Center for Church Management
Michael Moreland
Charles Widger School of Law
Sally Scholz
Department of Philosophy
Peter Spitaler
Department of Theology & Religious Studies
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the task force, or if you would like to have an event sponsored by the task force, please contact Mark Graham.
