Catholic Ethos, Education and Society

At the heart of the Catholic tradition lies a holistic view of the human person, encompassing spiritual, moral, intellectual, and social dimensions, shaped by the Church’s social doctrine. This perspective has long directed Catholic education and societal involvement, aiming to harmonise faith and reason for the common good. However, in the face of secularism, moral relativism, and consumerism, essential Catholic values such as human dignity, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor are increasingly marginalised. Educational and socio-political systems now often prioritise success and wealth over comprehensive human development. APT Volume 16 (June 2026) advocates for theological and interdisciplinary reflections on how the Catholic ethos can continue to influence education and society in Africa through transformative means. Central to this edition is the question: How can Catholic social and moral principles remain relevant, critical, and constructive in fostering intellectual growth and social change, especially amidst Africa’s ongoing cultural and political transitions? Topics may include revitalising Catholic education, defending Catholic identity in pluralistic societies, integrating faith with political and economic ethics, and examining the Church’s prophetic role in education as the global Church embarks on a new chapter, under the Pontificate of Leo XIV.

Submission Guidelines:

1. Manuscripts should be between 5,000 and 5,500 words, inclusive of footnotes.
2. All submissions must adhere strictly to the Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) for citations.
3. An abstract of no more than 250 words and five to seven keywords should accompany the manuscript.
4. Submissions should be in polished, academic English.
5. All manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.

Suggested Sub-Themes

1. Reimagining Catholic Education in a Secular Age
   • Pedagogical models integrating faith and reason amid pluralism and secularisation.
2. Catholic Social Teaching and Public Policy in Africa
   • Applying CST principles to governance, social development, and policy advocacy.
3. Moral and Civic Formation in Catholic Institutions
   • Fostering ethical leadership, civic engagement, and democratic values in schools and universities.
4. The Role of Philosophy and Theology in Shaping Social Imagination
   • Exploring foundational anthropological and metaphysical visions of the human person.
5. Faith, Aesthetics, and Cultural Identity in African Education
   • Engaging indigenous art, literature, music, and oral traditions in Catholic education.
6. Catholic Identity, Religious Freedom, and Pluralism
   • Navigating tensions between Catholic identity and interfaith dialogue in educational and societal settings.
7. The Prophetic Role of the Church in Education and Society
   • The Church’s mission to challenge structural injustice and promote the common good.
8. Gender, Family, and Human Ecology in Catholic Educational Discourse
   • Addressing family, gender roles, and ecological justice in light of Laudato Si’ and Amoris Laetitia.
9. Ethics, Business, and Entrepreneurship
   • Catholic ethical approaches to economic renewal, youth employment, and sustainable development.
10. The Future of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition in Africa
    • Contributions of African Catholic scholarship to global theology and philosophy.