Australasian Catholic Record

Scope & Guideline

Bridging Faith and Academia for a Global Audience

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Australasian Catholic Record with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0727-3215
PublisherAUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC RECORD
Support Open AccessNo
Country-
Type-
Converge-
AbbreviationAUSTRALAS CATHOL REC / Australas. Cathol. Rec.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address99 ALBERT RD, STRATHFIELD NSW 2135, AUSTRALIA

Aims and Scopes

The Australasian Catholic Record serves as a significant platform for scholarly discourse within the Catholic tradition in Australia and beyond. Its primary aims encompass a wide range of theological, historical, and pastoral themes, contributing to the understanding and development of Catholic thought and practices in contemporary society.
  1. Theological Exploration:
    The journal focuses on in-depth theological discussions, examining traditional and contemporary interpretations of Catholic doctrine, particularly in light of current societal challenges.
  2. Historical Analysis:
    It emphasizes the historical context of Catholicism in Australia, showcasing research that explores the evolution of the Church's role in Australian society over time.
  3. Pastoral Theology:
    The journal addresses practical applications of theology in pastoral settings, offering insights into the lived experiences of faith within the community.
  4. Social Justice and Ethics:
    A significant focus is placed on social teaching and ethical considerations from a Catholic perspective, reflecting on contemporary moral dilemmas and promoting justice.
  5. Synodality and Church Governance:
    There is a consistent exploration of synodality and the governance of the Church, particularly in response to contemporary issues facing the Catholic community.
  6. Cultural Engagement:
    The journal examines the intersection of faith and culture, exploring how Catholicism interacts with various cultural expressions and movements in Australia.
The recent publications in the Australasian Catholic Record highlight several emerging themes and trends that reflect the evolving landscape of Catholic scholarship. These themes are indicative of the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and the needs of the Catholic community.
  1. Synodality and Community Engagement:
    A growing interest in synodality emphasizes the Church's mission to engage with the community and promote collaborative decision-making processes, reflecting a shift towards inclusivity.
  2. Gender Issues and Women's Roles in the Church:
    There is an emerging focus on gender dynamics within the Church, particularly regarding the role of women, as seen in discussions about women deacons and their contributions to theology.
  3. Theological Responses to Contemporary Crises:
    Papers addressing responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic showcase a trend towards applying theology to real-world problems, emphasizing relevance and practicality.
  4. Cultural Contextualization of Faith:
    Emerging themes highlight the importance of contextualizing faith within Australian culture, indicating a trend towards understanding Catholicism in relation to local cultural narratives.
  5. Social Justice Initiatives:
    A notable increase in articles focused on social justice initiatives illustrates a growing commitment to addressing ethical and moral challenges within society from a Catholic perspective.

Declining or Waning

While the Australasian Catholic Record has a broad scope, certain themes appear to be losing prominence in recent publications. This decline may reflect shifts in the interests of the academic community or changing societal contexts.
  1. Historical Narratives of Early Church Contributions:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in articles focusing solely on the historical narratives of early Church figures and their contributions, suggesting a shift towards more contemporary issues.
  2. Liturgical Practices of the Past:
    Discussions surrounding traditional liturgical practices and their historical significance are appearing less frequently, indicating a possible waning interest in historical liturgical studies.
  3. Secularism and Its Challenges:
    There seems to be a decline in papers addressing secularism as a central theme, perhaps reflecting a broader engagement with more nuanced discussions about faith and modernity.
  4. Individual Spiritual Narratives:
    Personal spiritual journeys and individual narratives appear less frequently, possibly indicating a shift towards collective and communal aspects of faith.
  5. Interfaith Dialogues:
    The emphasis on interfaith dialogues has diminished, suggesting a narrowing focus on Catholic identity rather than broader interreligious engagement.

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