forthcoming issues
The following topics have been specif ed for future CetV issues and the editorial board will welcome contributions on these topics, in the form of scholarly studies and popular articles. Popular articles will be published based on the editorial board’s decision, while scholarly stu- dies are subject to the editorial board’s assessment and double anonymous reviewing. The editorial board can also reject texts for capacity reasons or because they are not in accord with the journal prof le and the focus of a topical issue.
1/2027 Responsibility of helping professions for democracy
Submissions are accepted in English only.
Deadline: 1st January 2027
The issue 1/2027 of Caritas et Veritas focuses on an interdisciplinary exploration of the social, ethical, and theological challenges emerging in an age marked by populism, polarisation, and rapid technological transformation. In our time, religion and various ideological worldviews play a crucial role in defining different kinds of boundaries — between social classes, nations, the rich and the poor, also between the poor and the poorest, and between native populations and incoming migrants and refugees in and from several parts of the world, respectively. Populist politicians are forming new alliances with churches and religious movements, and new religious communities are being established in the pursuit of greater power.
The social sciences and humanities — and especially theology, ethics, and social work — must confront these waves of populism and the misuse of religion and spirituality, as well as the fear and anxiety they generate, through rigorous analysis of the current situation, its roots, and possible future developments.
Together, the sub-themes of this issue aim to foster a rich academic conversation on how faith, ethics, and social responsibility can respond to and help towards resolving contemporary cultural and political upheavals. We especially welcome submissions addressing the following topics:
• The Language of Populism: Rhetoric of Exclusion, Moral Panic, and Responsibility for Speech.
• Unexpected and/or Innocent Victims of Populism: Family, Marriage, Conservative Politics, the vulnerable/underprivileged, and Individual Responsibility.
• Caritas as Service to the Marginalised/Overlooked and Its Response to Polarisation and Ideological Conflict.
• New Alliances Against Populism: Social Work and Pastoral Care, Civic and Religious Education.
• Truth Telling as Prophetic Witness: Philosophical Foundations of Truth in a Relativistic Culture.
• The Ethics of Belonging: Refugees, Migration, Borders, and the Idol of National Identity.
• Theological Perspectives on Truth in the Digital Age: Ethics of AI, Deepfakes, and Synthetic Media.
• Social Ethics / Catholic Social Thought, Democracy and Autocracy.
• The Crisis of Trust in Institutions.
2/2027 Ecotheology and Green Social Work: Contemporary Perspectives and Future Directions
Submissions are accepted in English only.
Deadline: 30th June 2027
Environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing social inequalities associated with ecological crises have become defining challenges of the twenty-first century. These developments increasingly call for interdisciplinary responses that bring together environmental, social, ethical, and spiritual perspectives. Both theology and social work have responded by developing new theoretical frameworks and practical approaches that recognise the interconnectedness of human beings, society, and the natural world. Although environmental concerns have been present in theological reflection and social work for several decades, both ecotheology and green social work remain dynamic and evolving fields of scholarship. As recently as 2018, Lena Dominelli described green social work as an innovative perspective. Similarly, Gabriel Torretta argues that theology continues to seek new ways of engaging with ecological questions and of rethinking the relationship between humanity, creation, and God.
Recognising these ongoing developments, Caritas et Veritas 2/2027 invites original contributions that critically examine contemporary approaches to ecotheology and green social work. We particularly welcome contributions that explore the intersections between theology, social work, environmental studies, education, philosophy, ethics, and the social sciences. The issue aims to provide a platform for critical reflection on how ecological challenges reshape both scholarly discourse and professional practice.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
• Contemporary concepts and theoretical developments in ecotheology and social work.
• Historical perspectives on environmental responsibility within theology, pastoral practice, and social work.
• Relationships between ecotheology, pastoral theology, practical theology, and spirituality.
• The connection between people’s various life situations and their ability to act and think in an environmentally friendly and responsible way (e.g., poverty as a factor influencing the ability to think and act in an environmentally friendly and responsible way).
• The contribution of theology, social work, and the helping professions to climate justice, sustainability, and the protection of creation.
• Eco-spirituality and its implications for social work theory and practice.
• Ecological dimensions of pastoral care, counselling, and social support.
• Environmental education and ecological literacy within theological, social work, and higher education programmes.
• Green social work in the context of disasters, climate change, environmental displacement, and vulnerable communities.
• Dialogue between theological traditions, secular environmental thought, and Indigenous[MO2.1] ecological knowledge in the context of theology and/or social work.
• Critical reflections on the legacy and contemporary significance of ecological thought in theology and social work.
• Possible innovations in social work methodology and theological methodology with regard to environmental issues.
We welcome theoretical, empirical, methodological, and review papers that contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between ecological responsibility, theological reflection, and social work practice. Contributions adopting interdisciplinary, comparative, or international perspectives are particularly encouraged.