The Institute of Anthropology moves to Villa Malta

On 15 June 2022, the Institute of Anthropology (IADC) of the Pontifical Gregorian University inaugurated its new offices at Villa Malta. The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ, blessed the new workspace in the presence of staff, teachers, members of the Villa Malta Jesuit community, and the Institute Director, Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ.

“This place in Villa Malta, this Institute within the Pontifical Gregorian University, is one of the most important fronts in our commitment to the necessary cultural conversion that leads to ensuring safe and worthy environments to every human being”, said Fr. Sosa.

Also present at the inauguration were the Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Fr. Nuno da Silva Gonçalves, SJ, and the Delegate for the Interprovincial Houses and Works of the Society of Jesus in Rome, Fr. Johan Verschueren, SJ. “We have begun a journey and reached some goals”, added the Jesuit Superior General, “but we know how far we still have to go to be up to the task that has been entrusted to us as a universal body.”

The move to the new location at Villa Malta reflects the vision which provided impetus for the transformation of the Centre for Child Protection (CCP) into the Institute of Anthropology, which is committed to the issue of safeguarding. The Institute is working to broaden and deepen its research aims and programmes in order to proactively advance scientific reflection on human dignity and the care of all vulnerable persons. The larger and more dynamic space is better suited to accommodating the expansion of the Institute’s activities, along with its growing faculty and team of collaborators.

For over 70 years, Villa Malta has been, and continues to be, the headquarters of La Civiltà Cattolica, the oldest Italian-language periodical, published by the Society of Jesus since 1850. The transfer of the Institute of Anthropology to this prestigious location was made possible thanks to the generous support of donors and friends to whom the Institute is extremely grateful.