Journal Description
Religions
Religions
is an international, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal on religions and theology, published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, AHCI (Web of Science), ATLA Religion Database, Religious and Theological Abstracts, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q1 (Religious Studies)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 24.5 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
0.7 (2023)
Latest Articles
The Contributions of University Chaplains to Suicide Prevention: Results from International Multimethod Research
Religions 2025, 16(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020225 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
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Suicide is a significant public health issue and a leading cause of death amongst those aged 15 to 29, making it particularly relevant in the university context, where many students fall within this age range. Universities are motivated to promote student wellbeing, as
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Suicide is a significant public health issue and a leading cause of death amongst those aged 15 to 29, making it particularly relevant in the university context, where many students fall within this age range. Universities are motivated to promote student wellbeing, as it is closely linked to academic achievement and overall satisfaction with the university experience. University chaplains play a vital role on campuses, providing spiritual care to the entire university community. Whilst their contributions to suicide prevention are acknowledged, there is a notable lack of explicit research in this area. This paper presents the results of an online multimethod questionnaire on the self-reported contributions of university chaplains to suicide prevention, involving 50 participants working in 16 different countries. The findings indicate that university chaplains self-report contributing to all three levels of the suicide prevention framework: prevention, intervention, and postvention, with prevention being the area where they feel they contribute most. This paper also explores the wellbeing practices of university chaplains, key elements of university chaplaincy, and various aspects of the professionalisation of university chaplaincy.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
In the Footsteps of Tradition: Reinventing the Paths of Santa Faz Within the Paradigm of Sustainability and Territorial Development in Alicante
by
Pablo Rosser and Seila Soler
Religions 2025, 16(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020224 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
The Santa Faz Pilgrimage, with over 600 years of history and as Spain’s second most significant pilgrimage, is at a critical point due to urbanization and inadequate planning. This study explores revitalizing and enhancing the historical Santa Faz routes, integrating cultural tourism, environmental
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The Santa Faz Pilgrimage, with over 600 years of history and as Spain’s second most significant pilgrimage, is at a critical point due to urbanization and inadequate planning. This study explores revitalizing and enhancing the historical Santa Faz routes, integrating cultural tourism, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic benefits. Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the pilgrimage impacts Alicante’s cultural landscape yet faces pressure from modern urban development. Using a multidisciplinary approach aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the study proposes alternative routes, such as a “green route” through ancient paths and water routes, a Villafranqueza route, and one from the former Monastery of Los Ángeles. These paths would be revived through local reforestation, sustainable tourism infrastructure, and rest areas for pilgrims. The restoration of the Santa Faz paths is seen as vital for cultural heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and job creation, with both opportunities and challenges in integrating these routes into the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes. The study advocates modifying the urban plan and promoting employment in heritage and tourism management, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and cross-disciplinary collaboration to secure the long-term preservation and development of these culturally significant spaces.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pilgrimage Routes, Sacred Places, and Contribution to Territories’ Sustainable Development)
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Open AccessArticle
Prayer When Life’s in the Balance: One Pentecostal’s Perspectives on Luther’s Theology of the Cross
by
David J. Courey
Religions 2025, 16(2), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020223 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
Hearing the word ‘death’ applied to oneself is a remarkably sobering experience. This is particularly true when the ‘one’ being referred to is a Pentecostal, a theologian, and a friend of Martin Luther. Reading Luther with Pentecostal ears is always a deconstructive process
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Hearing the word ‘death’ applied to oneself is a remarkably sobering experience. This is particularly true when the ‘one’ being referred to is a Pentecostal, a theologian, and a friend of Martin Luther. Reading Luther with Pentecostal ears is always a deconstructive process against the accumulated Luther scholarship that champions his view of the objective nature of Word and Sacrament over against the vicissitude of spiritual experience. Nevertheless, two moments in Luther’s life (the recovery of Philip Melanchthon and the death of his daughter Magdalena) open perspectives on the personal appropriation of the theologia crucis in the later Luther. In the process they illuminate the Pentecostal longing for healing, while critiquing some of its popular paradigms. Together they voice this particular ‘one’s’ journey through a bout of cancer.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer and Theology: Personal and Pastoral Perspectives)
Open AccessArticle
Reclaiming the Christ-Centered Pulpit: A Theological Exploration of Redemptive Preaching
by
Bob C. Greene
Religions 2025, 16(2), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020222 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
This article embarks on a profound theological journey through the sacred Scriptures, illuminating Jesus Christ as the central figure of the entire biblical narrative. It posits that the ultimate purpose of preaching, emphasized in this discourse, is the radiant glory of God in
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This article embarks on a profound theological journey through the sacred Scriptures, illuminating Jesus Christ as the central figure of the entire biblical narrative. It posits that the ultimate purpose of preaching, emphasized in this discourse, is the radiant glory of God in Christ, reflected in the joyful submission of His creation. Through meticulous exploration, this article reveals the crucial need to restore the authority of the Gospel, highlighting the pivotal role of Christ-centered preaching in deepening our understanding of God’s redemptive design. At the outset, this article conveys the significance of approaching Scripture with an unwavering commitment to discover Christ within its pages. The preacher’s quest to find Jesus in every text becomes a theological mandate, especially when engaging with the Old Testament, where Christ’s presence may seem less evident. The article asserts that sermon preparation should consistently center around some aspect of the person and work of Christ, ultimately leading to the presentation of the Gospel—a proclamation of Jesus Christ’s incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
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Open AccessArticle
Bridging Doctrinal Divides: Analyzing Ecumenical Dialogue Between Catholics and Protestants in South Korea
by
Eunsil Son
Religions 2025, 16(2), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020221 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
The remarkable growth of Catholicism and Protestantism in Korea has garnered significant attention in the history of Asian missions. However, their relationship has predominantly been characterized by persistent conflicts and competition, with limited progress in ecumenical efforts. This study examines the ecumenical dialogue
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The remarkable growth of Catholicism and Protestantism in Korea has garnered significant attention in the history of Asian missions. However, their relationship has predominantly been characterized by persistent conflicts and competition, with limited progress in ecumenical efforts. This study examines the ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Protestants in Korea, focusing on the doctrinal issues central to their divisions. The analysis reveals that many of these disputes stem from doctrinal controversies introduced by Western missionaries in the early 20th century. Through a detailed examination of dialogue documents, the study demonstrates that despite over two decades of concentrated ecumenical efforts since 2000—when serious discussions on doctrinal matters began—progress remains limited. This stagnation is attributed to the lack of rigorous academic inquiry, insufficient engagement with global ecumenical movements, and ineffective dialogue methodologies. Finally, the article provides suggestions for fostering the local adoption of global ecumenical initiatives and promoting greater unity among Christians.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Conflict and Coexistence in Korea)
Open AccessArticle
The Disenchantment of Hell and the Emergence of Self-Conscious Individuality: Examining Su Shi’s Philosophy of Disposition
by
Shuang Xu and Yicai Ni
Religions 2025, 16(2), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020220 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
In pre-Song Chinese thought, the afterlife, or the subterranean realm was a sacred space distinctly separate from the world of the living, an extension of the political–religious–cultural order of the Chinese empire. Even after the introduction of Buddhism to China, although the Buddhist
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In pre-Song Chinese thought, the afterlife, or the subterranean realm was a sacred space distinctly separate from the world of the living, an extension of the political–religious–cultural order of the Chinese empire. Even after the introduction of Buddhism to China, although the Buddhist concept of hell applied karmic retribution to the present life in an attempt to provide ethical norms for real life, the sacredness of the afterlife remained intact. Song Dynasty Chinese thought underwent a profound “modernization” transformation. Su Shi, with the concept of qing 情 [disposition] at its core, disenchanted the sacred afterlife, shaping a new, self-conscious individuality in the interplay between the living and the dead, the finite and the infinite, the mortal and the immortal. This new individuality, with its spiritual spontaneity and freedom, integrated the afterlife with the present world, internalizing infinity and immortality into a utopian spiritual homeland. This free individuality, entirely different from Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, marking a hidden potential in the development of Chinese intellectual history that has yet to be fully revealed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue On the Problem of Hell: Comparative Historical and Philosophical Perspectives)
Open AccessArticle
Resilience in Pontifical Doctrines: From Pope Benedict XVI to Pope Francis
by
Rita Figus-Illinyi
Religions 2025, 16(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020219 - 12 Feb 2025
Abstract
This study explores the concept of resilience within the teachings of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, comparing these with established psychological resilience theories by Ungar and Holling. Through a comprehensive analysis of documents sourced from the Vatican’s official website, resilience is examined across
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This study explores the concept of resilience within the teachings of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, comparing these with established psychological resilience theories by Ungar and Holling. Through a comprehensive analysis of documents sourced from the Vatican’s official website, resilience is examined across individual, community, and global dimensions. Individual resilience emphasizes spiritual resources such as faith and hope, which Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis underscore as essential for overcoming personal and societal crises. Community resilience is highlighted in the context of solidarity, cooperation, and cultural identity, as demonstrated in responses to natural disasters and sociopolitical challenges. At a global level, Pope Francis advocates ecological sustainability and systemic justice, tying resilience to shared responsibilities and global solidarity. Methods include textual frequency analysis and semantic mapping of resilience-related terms within papal documents, complemented by a comparative analysis with psychological resilience frameworks. Findings reveal unique contributions of papal teachings, such as the integration of spiritual, moral, and ecological dimensions, which expand traditional resilience concepts. This theological lens adds normative and prescriptive elements, offering transformative perspectives for resilience studies, emphasizing faith, values, and sustainability as pivotal components for enduring and thriving amidst adversity. Limitations of data mining methods suggest potential for further interdisciplinary research.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuity and Discontinuity: From Pope John Paul II to Pope Francis and Beyond)
Open AccessArticle
In the Beginning Was the Tao: Interreligious Paths Based on a Chinese Translation of John 1:1
by
Damiano Bondi and John Zhao
Religions 2025, 16(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020218 - 11 Feb 2025
Abstract
There are two main options for translating λόγος Logos in Chinese versions of John 1:1. One is to use 道Tào, which in this context means Wisdom and Creative Principle; the other is to use 言 Yán, which in this context means
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There are two main options for translating λόγος Logos in Chinese versions of John 1:1. One is to use 道Tào, which in this context means Wisdom and Creative Principle; the other is to use 言 Yán, which in this context means Holy Word. Our goal is to (1) give a historical overview of the first uses of 道Tao in the Protestant Bible and 言 Yan in the Catholic Bible and (2) discuss what has been lost, modified, or acquired by using Tao, both for Christianity and Taoism.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interreligious Dialogue: Philosophical Perspectives)
Open AccessArticle
The Origins and Symbolism of Vaiśravaṇa Iconography and the Impact of the Royal Image as Donor and Protector
by
Yeoung Shin Shim
Religions 2025, 16(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020217 - 11 Feb 2025
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This study examines the origins and symbolic meanings of the iconography of Vaiśravaṇa, which gained prominence in East Asia during the 200 years after the 8th century, through the lens of royal imagery as both a devotee and protector. As Vaiśravaṇa’s iconography spread
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This study examines the origins and symbolic meanings of the iconography of Vaiśravaṇa, which gained prominence in East Asia during the 200 years after the 8th century, through the lens of royal imagery as both a devotee and protector. As Vaiśravaṇa’s iconography spread along the Silk Road, it integrated diverse cultural traditions from the ancient Near East and the Indo-Iranian world, with Gandhāra and Khotan as central hubs. The iconography evolved into a distinctive form, featuring a cylindrical crown adorned with bird motifs, shoulder flames, a cross belt, a Stūpa, a spear, and celestial maidens. Previous studies often limited its origin to either Gandhāra or Khotan; however, this research highlights contributions from both regions, emphasizing their roles in shaping iconography. By focusing on Gandhāra and the Kushan Empire, this study explores how these elements reflect the diversity of regional cultures, political ideals, and religious values. It contextualizes these developments within historical and cultural exchanges between regions, offering a broader understanding of Vaiśravaṇa’s formation. The findings reveal that Vaiśravaṇa’s iconography reflects cultural exchange and symbolizes the sacred earthly ruler. This perspective highlights how regional diversity and intercultural interactions shaped its development, enriching the study of Buddhist iconography.
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Open AccessArticle
Qualitative Testing of Questionnaires on Existential, Spiritual, and Religious Constructs: Epistemological Reflections
by
Tobias Anker Stripp
Religions 2025, 16(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020216 - 11 Feb 2025
Abstract
Quantitative methodologies using questionnaires are widely utilised across the health and social sciences, including when assessing difficult-to-measure constructs such as existential, spiritual, or religious constructs. The validity of the questionnaire is crucial to secure good research. Qualitative methods are essential to assess the
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Quantitative methodologies using questionnaires are widely utilised across the health and social sciences, including when assessing difficult-to-measure constructs such as existential, spiritual, or religious constructs. The validity of the questionnaire is crucial to secure good research. Qualitative methods are essential to assess the validity of questionnaires, including a range of measurement properties such as comprehensiveness, comprehensibility, and content validity—properties that quantitative measures have difficulty addressing. Cognitive and semi-structured interviews are the most common qualitative methods to evaluate these properties when testing questionnaires. However, the choice of interview method and subsequent analysis also reflects a negotiation between epistemologies, influencing how the data are interpreted and applied. Based on experience with cognitive and semi-structured interviews to test a questionnaire on existential, spiritual, and religious constructs, this paper critically discusses the opposing epistemological premises for cognitive and semi-structured interviews. It is a relevant methodological discussion for researchers working with questionnaires in health sciences, not the least in relation to religious studies broadly speaking.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences)
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Forgiveness and Democracy in South Africa—Desmond Tutu, Antjie Krog, and Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela in Conversation with Hannah Arendt
by
Anthony Balcomb
Religions 2025, 16(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020215 - 10 Feb 2025
Abstract
The demise of apartheid as a political policy of institutionalized racism and the advent of the so-called “New South Africa” based on constitutional democracy presented a huge, almost impossible, challenge of forgiveness and reconciliation among the South African people. Nelson Mandela and Desmond
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The demise of apartheid as a political policy of institutionalized racism and the advent of the so-called “New South Africa” based on constitutional democracy presented a huge, almost impossible, challenge of forgiveness and reconciliation among the South African people. Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, among others, led the way, but the capacity of the ordinary people of South Africa to forgive their oppressors has been largely responsible for the success of the democratic project. This begs the questions of what political forgiveness is, why it is important for the South African democracy to succeed, and how the people were able to do it. Three leading South African exponents of the topic of forgiveness—Desmond Tutu, Antjie Krog, and Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela—are put into conversation with a leading European exponent, Hannah Arendt. Arendt uses the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth to formulate her understanding of political forgiveness and the others the highly contested but deeply engrained, notoriously elusive, and endlessly prolific African philosophy of Ubuntu, though they each have their different ways of reframing it. Other Western interlocutors are briefly introduced to bring different dimensions to the conversation and highlight the sharp contrast between Western and African ontologies, and the agonistic nature of the new South African democracy is mooted.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue African Voices in Contemporary and Historical Theology)
Open AccessArticle
Reshaping Gendered Boundaries: Buddhist Women’s Monastic Experience in Korean Buddhism
by
Jeongeun Park
Religions 2025, 16(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020214 - 10 Feb 2025
Abstract
During the Chosŏn period (1392–1910) and the colonial period (1910–1945), in Korean Buddhism, Buddhist monks’ and nuns’ monastic experiences were influenced not only by the existing social norms but also by the androcentric monastic regulations, such as the eight “heavy rules”. Despite the
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During the Chosŏn period (1392–1910) and the colonial period (1910–1945), in Korean Buddhism, Buddhist monks’ and nuns’ monastic experiences were influenced not only by the existing social norms but also by the androcentric monastic regulations, such as the eight “heavy rules”. Despite the androcentric monastic rules and misogynist aspects of practice, Buddhist nuns invariably strived to increase their visibility in monastic communities and secure their position by adopting the existing social norms or customary law; in this way, they challenged male-centered monasticism. To examine Korean Buddhist nuns in the Chosŏn and the colonial periods, this study used secondary scholarship as well as primary sources, such as the story of Queen Chŏngsun, a colonial government document, and a related civil case, to present the various ways in which Buddhist nuns consolidated their position, including coopting the practice of property succession from a master-nun to a disciple-nun and receiving official recognition of the abbess position from the colonial government.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Un-glossing East Asian Buddhism: Gender, Sangha and the State in the Early-Modern Era)
Open AccessArticle
Early Intuitions on Joseph Ratzinger’s Idea of a Catholic University of the Future
by
Pietro Luca Azzaro
Religions 2025, 16(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020213 - 10 Feb 2025
Abstract
This paper examines Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI’s reflections on knowledge and universities over sixty-five years, focusing on the constant features in his thought by analyzing his first and last pronouncements on these topics. Rather than summarizing all his writings, the author provides a comparative
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This paper examines Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI’s reflections on knowledge and universities over sixty-five years, focusing on the constant features in his thought by analyzing his first and last pronouncements on these topics. Rather than summarizing all his writings, the author provides a comparative analysis of Ratzinger’s early address in 1959 as a newly appointed professor at the University of Bonn and his later speeches as Pope. In the 1959 lecture, Ratzinger talked about the challenge of modern secularism, emphasizing an increasing split between faith and reason and the growth of “neo-paganism” within the Church, while also highlighting the implication of technological globalization that was going to reshape the role of Christian universities in the modern world. The paper further develops how Ratzinger’s concerns evolved, particularly his critique of the rupture between faith and reason and the secularization of the Church, up to his reflections in 2022 on how Christian universities must maintain a connection with faith and reason. Drawing on Ratzinger’s lifelong exploration of these issues, this paper points out three constant features of his thought: the imperative of the integration of faith and reason at universities, “creative minorities” as an imperative internally, both in the Church and at the level of academia; and the specific chance given by contemporary secularization to Christian universities for a renewal of their educational mission.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuity and Discontinuity: From Pope John Paul II to Pope Francis and Beyond)
Open AccessArticle
Persuading to See Differences: Religious Diversity and Deep Disagreement from a Wittgensteinian Perspective
by
Marciano Adilio Spica
Religions 2025, 16(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020212 - 10 Feb 2025
Abstract
This article contributes to philosophical discussions on religious diversity by applying a Wittgensteinian lens, specifically drawing on insights from On Certainty. It examines interreligious disagreement as a form of “deep disagreement” and posits that Wittgenstein contends that argumentation has limitations in resolving
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This article contributes to philosophical discussions on religious diversity by applying a Wittgensteinian lens, specifically drawing on insights from On Certainty. It examines interreligious disagreement as a form of “deep disagreement” and posits that Wittgenstein contends that argumentation has limitations in resolving such conflicts. Instead, the article suggests that persuasion—a distinct process of making differences visible—facilitates a gradual reassessment of one’s world-picture. A key contribution of Wittgenstein’s thought to discussions on religious diversity lies in his emphasis on recognizing differences and understanding their transformative impact on our world-pictures. The article begins by differentiating between various types of disagreement, proposing that On Certainty addresses conflicts between world-pictures which can be characterized as deep disagreements. It then delves into Wittgenstein’s insights into the functioning of world-pictures and the crucial importance of grasping their dynamics for a better understanding of such disagreements. Building on this foundation, this article argues that persuasion, as a non-argumentative mode of engagement, is uniquely positioned to effectively make these differences visible in cases of deep disagreement. Finally, this article demonstrates how these ideas can help to address and resolve key misunderstandings within the philosophy of religious diversity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)
Open AccessArticle
The Introducing, Adapting and Practicing of Catholic Notion of Works of Mercy in China in the Early 17th Century
by
Xuliang Sun
Religions 2025, 16(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020211 - 10 Feb 2025
Abstract
In the initial phase of their mission in late Ming China, Jesuits particularly emphasized the ethical and charitable facets of Catholicism, aligning them with Confucian ethics to garner acceptance and support from the scholar-official class. This strategic adaptation is evident in their introduction
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In the initial phase of their mission in late Ming China, Jesuits particularly emphasized the ethical and charitable facets of Catholicism, aligning them with Confucian ethics to garner acceptance and support from the scholar-official class. This strategic adaptation is evident in their introduction of works of mercy to China and their translation of “works of mercy” into the Confucian term aijin (哀矜, compassion or mercy), highlighting parallels between Catholic notion of works of mercy and the Confucian concept of ren (仁, benevolence). Chinese Catholic literati embraced this introduction, perceiving works of mercy as complementary to and enhancing Confucian charitable traditions. To implement this notion, some Catholic literati established charitable societies named renhui (仁會, humanitarian society) with distinct Catholic influences, engaging in social-assistance activities guided by the principles of works of mercy. This integration of the Catholic notion of works of mercy within Chinese moral frameworks exemplifies Jesuits’ efforts to bridge Catholicism with Confucianism in late Ming China.
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(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)
Open AccessArticle
Ethics Beyond Being?: Human Dignity and the Ontology of the Good in Twentieth-Century Catholic Thought
by
Michael Dominic Taylor
Religions 2025, 16(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020210 - 9 Feb 2025
Abstract
The terrors of the twentieth century left those who still believed in man’s capacity for the Good seeking new approaches. Martin Heidegger’s anti-metaphysical critique had called into question the systems of the past. In Poland, where these crises were felt acutely by a
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The terrors of the twentieth century left those who still believed in man’s capacity for the Good seeking new approaches. Martin Heidegger’s anti-metaphysical critique had called into question the systems of the past. In Poland, where these crises were felt acutely by a profoundly Catholic society, two thinkers can serve as a case study that helps give insight into the rebuilding of an ethical society and system of thought from within, namely, Jozef Tischner and Karol Wojtyła (John Paul II). Regarding the crucial question of human dignity, Tischner follows Emmanuel Levinas, who seems to have accepted Martin Heidegger’s anti-metaphysical critique, to a conception of goodness “beyond being” by which being becomes the enemy of goodness. This position is contrasted with that of John Paul II and others—such as Hans Urs von Balthasar, Robert Spaemann, and D. C. Schindler—who adhere to the comprehension of being and goodness as coextensive and bring it into the twenty-first century. While numerous points of contact exist, the contrast between Tischner and John Paul II is one of alternate priorities—phenomenology or metaphysics, respectively—which results in two different trajectories for comprehending ethics, encounter, solidarity, and the Good. While Tischner’s openness to dialogue with his contemporary world is laudable and necessary, John Paul II’s insistence on the ontological grounding of the Good is indispensable.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematic Theology and Social Ethics: On the Unity of Theory and Praxis)
Open AccessArticle
External and Internal Threats to the Freedom of Religion or Belief of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America
by
Dennis P. Petri and Jason Klocek
Religions 2025, 16(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020209 - 8 Feb 2025
Abstract
Indigenous Peoples in Latin America face a dual challenge of social vulnerability and violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). Representing 8% of the region’s population yet disproportionately affected by poverty, displacement, and health disparities, these communities also endure persistent religious discrimination—a
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America face a dual challenge of social vulnerability and violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). Representing 8% of the region’s population yet disproportionately affected by poverty, displacement, and health disparities, these communities also endure persistent religious discrimination—a challenge historically overlooked in policy and scholarship. This article advances the understanding of FoRB violations against Indigenous Peoples by distinguishing between external threats, targeting collective religious practices, and internal threats, undermining individual religious rights. Using a cross-case analysis of Paraguay, Mexico, and Colombia, this study illustrates the varied manifestations of these threats, relying on novel data from interviews, open-source platforms, and the Violent Incidents Database of the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Latin America and the International Institute for Religious Freedom. Focusing on Latin America as a “least likely case” for FoRB violations, the article highlights significant disparities in FoRB protections for Indigenous Peoples, challenging the assumption of Latin America as a region of relative religious freedom. By shedding light on these violations, the study underscores their broader implications for political stability and human rights. The findings call for greater attention to the intersections of religious freedom and Indigenous rights, offering a framework applicable to global contexts. This work also highlights the need for sustained data collection and targeted interventions to address these challenges effectively.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Right to Freedom of Religion: Contributions)
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The Pact of the Catacombs as a Pathway for a Poor-Servant Church
by
Valentine Ugochukwu Iheanacho
Religions 2025, 16(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020208 - 8 Feb 2025
Abstract
On 16 November 1965, three weeks before the end of the Second Vatican Council, about forty conciliar bishops gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in the Catacombs of St. Domitilla. The Mass was presided over by Msgr. Charles-Marie Himmer (1902–1994). At the end
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On 16 November 1965, three weeks before the end of the Second Vatican Council, about forty conciliar bishops gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in the Catacombs of St. Domitilla. The Mass was presided over by Msgr. Charles-Marie Himmer (1902–1994). At the end of the Mass, the assembled bishops walked up to the altar and appended their signatures to what is now known as “The Pact of the Catacombs.” This document later went into oblivion and suffered obscurity for half a century. Nevertheless, its significance was never lost on some of the bishops who pledged themselves, among other things, to work for the emergence of a “poor and servant Church” with a commitment to justice and charity. The bishops seemed to have followed the example of Pope Paul VI, who on 12 September 1965, in the same Catacombs of St. Domitilla, had spoken about the lessons of simplicity, poverty, charity, and justice that are historically engraved in the Church’s memory of the catacombs. This research examines “The Pact of the Catacombs”, its recent coming to light, and its significance as a pathway for a possible poor-servant church. As a qualitative research, its approach is historical, and its analysis of primary and secondary sources will be both narrative and descriptive in connecting it to other important documents of the same milieu.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Faith in Action: Examining the Power and Purpose of a Public Theology in Contemporary Society)
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On the Entanglements of Heritage—Afterword to the Special Issue Sacred Heritage: Religions and Material Culture
by
Simon Coleman
Religions 2025, 16(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020207 - 8 Feb 2025
Abstract
A sign of a productive sub-field is that it can develop ramifying links with other areas of research whilst retaining the distinctiveness that first brought it into being [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sacred Heritage: Religions and Material Culture)
Open AccessArticle
A Doctrinal and Practical Continuity: Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis on the Ecological Crisis
by
Tibor Görföl
Religions 2025, 16(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020206 - 8 Feb 2025
Abstract
The question of a possible discontinuity between the papacies of Benedict XVI and Francis are broadly discussed in the Catholic public square, as well as in the literature. This paper aims at demonstrating the continuity of the two papal magisteria in a special
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The question of a possible discontinuity between the papacies of Benedict XVI and Francis are broadly discussed in the Catholic public square, as well as in the literature. This paper aims at demonstrating the continuity of the two papal magisteria in a special area, the assessment of the ecological crisis. While Benedict XVI approached the issue from a theological and theoretical point of view, he was not indifferent to the practical consequences, which were then highlighted in a sometimes harsh and passionate manner by Francis. I argue that Francis’ alarmist claims about the ecological situation are partly based on the theological imagination of Benedict XVI (while, of course, having other sources, as well). Continuity between the two Popes can also be observed in their relation to Orthodox ecological thought, a relation deserving careful attention.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Continuity and Discontinuity: From Pope John Paul II to Pope Francis and Beyond)
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Social Sciences, Sustainability, World, Religions
Faith and Sustainable Development: Exploring Practice, Progress and Challenges among Faith Communities and Institutions
Topic Editors: Stephen Morse, Jim Lynch, Ian ChristieDeadline: 30 July 2025
Topic in
Behavioral Sciences, Religions, Social Sciences, Youth
Educational and Health Development of Children and Youths
Topic Editors: Jerf W. K. Yeung, Huifang ChenDeadline: 1 December 2025

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Special Issues
Special Issue in
Religions
Theological Studies on Youth: Family, Education and Religion
Guest Editor: Carl-Mario SultanaDeadline: 15 February 2025
Special Issue in
Religions
Shakespeare and Religion
Guest Editor: Kenneth JacksonDeadline: 15 February 2025
Special Issue in
Religions
Buddhist Meditation in Central Asia
Guest Editors: Nobuyoshi Yamabe, Henry AlberyDeadline: 15 February 2025
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Religions
Religion and Immigrants in Western Europe
Guest Editors: Ednan Aslan, Kamil ÖktemDeadline: 17 February 2025
Topical Collections
Topical Collection in
Religions
Measures of the Different Aspects of Spirituality/Religiosity
Collection Editor: Arndt Büssing