International Journal of African Catholicism

Winter 2024: Volume 14, Number 1 (PDF)

Winter 2024: Volume 14, Number 1 (Word)

Winter, 2022: Volume 11, Number 1 • PDF

Winter, 2021: Volume 11, Number 1 • PDF

"RELIGION AND MORALITY: A SYNERGY FOR PUBLIC LIFE IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY."

By John Obineche. Page 3.



"CHRISTIANITY AND COLONIALISM: MAKERS OF MODERN AFRICA."

By Joseph Eneji. Page 11.



"INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE: A NON-INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH TO THE NEW EVANGELISATION IN GHANA."

By Cosmas Ebo Sarbah and Emmanuel Kojo Ennin Antwi. Page 25.



"REVIEW OF BENEDICT XVI AND ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS: PRIESTHOOD, CELIBACY, AND THE CRISIS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH."

TRANSLATED BY MICHAEL J. MILLER. SAN FRANCISCO: IGNATIUS PRESS, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62164-414-9, 148 PAGES.

By: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo. Page 47.



"REVIEW OF NEPAD AND THE AFRICAN CRISIS: THE MYTHS, REALITIES AND POSSIBILITIES."

OKPEHOCHAYI OKPEH JR. ABOKI PUBLISHERS, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, 2005. 5 – 24 (19). ISBN 978-8098-10-X.

By Eneji, Joseph Eneji. Page 50.

 

Winter, 2020: Volume 10 Number 1 • PDF

"THE DILEMMA OF CHILDLESSNESS AMONG THE LUO CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF WESTERN KENYA"

By Ephraim Ochieng and Susan Mbula Kilonzo, Page 4

"HUMANAE VITAE AT FIFTY: A NIGERIAN MORAL THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE"

By Rev. Dr Raymond Olusesan Aina (MSP), Page 25

"A SEMIOTIC INVESTIGATION OF IFA SYMBOLISM IN RELATIONS WITH ÌBEJÌ AND SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN OF CATHOLIC FAITH"

By ÒKÉWÁNDÉ, Olúwọlé Tẹ́wọ́gboyè, Page 40

"IFÁ SYMBOLISM AND THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION: A CHALLENGE FOR THE CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS"

By OLÚWỌLÉ TẸ́WỌ́GBOYÈ ÒKÉWÁNDÉ, Page 71

"JUSTICE FOR THE RICH, JUDGMENT FOR THE POOR: ‘ELITE IMMUNITY’, RAMPANT IMPUNITY AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN NIGERIA"

By Mike, OMILUSI, Page 97

"THE EARLY CHURCH CONROVERSIES AND THE PROBLEM OF ECUMENISM IN NIGERIA"

By Rev. JOHN OKWUDIRI OBINECHE AND NWAKA, CHIGOZIE SAMUEL, Page 122

"CHRISTIANITY AND INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA"

By Adolphus Ekedimma Amaefule, SDV. Page 143

"PRE-MARITAL PASTORAL COUNSELLING/GO LAA ON ISSUES OF GENDER AND HUMAN SEXUALITY: NAOMI//LABAN SHOWERS IN GABORONE, BOTSWANA"

By Madigele Tshenolo Jennifer, Dube Musa, Motswapong Elizabeth, Kebaneilwe Mmapula Diana, Gabaitse Rosinah, Setume Doreen, Modie-Moroka Tirelo, Kgalemang Malebogo. Page 177

"FIRST SUNDAY WORSHIP IN THE PLACE THE LORD HAS CHOSEN AS HIS OWN: READING DEUTERONOMY 12:13–19 IN HONOR OF HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL DOMINIC EKANDEM OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF IKOT EKPENE"

By Michael Udoekpo. Page 202

"YOU CANNOT STOP RECEIVING THE BODY OF OUR LORD’: THE EUCHARIST IN CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE’S PURPLE HIBISCUS"

By Adolphus Ekedimma Amaefule, SDV. Page 219



"MEDIOCRE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION: A CRITICAL EVALUATION"

By Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Emem Umoren. Page 232

"APPRECIATING RECENT SCHOLARLY INTERPRETATIONS OF 1 CORINTHIANS 15:8"

By Christopher Naseri Naseri. Page 254

"BIBLICAL PARADIGMS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN NIGERIA: INTERPRETING JOHN 6:1-15 FROM AN ECO THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE."

By Christopher Naseri and Patrick Bassey. Page 266

"BOOK REVIEW: THE JOURNEY OF RECONCILIATION: GROANING FOR A NEW CREATION IN AFRICA. Emmanuel Katongole,"

By Idara Otu. Page 283

Summer, 2017: Volume 9, Number 1 • PDF

"A Semiotic Investigation of Mythic Relations betweenIfá,Ìbejìand Saints Cosmas and Damian of Catholic Faith"

By: ÒKÉWÁNDÉ, Olúwọlé Tẹ́wọ́gboyè

"Nothing New Under the Sun: Environmental Degradation and Lessons from Traditional Africans"

By: Isidore I. Nkwocha

"Portrayal of Catholic University Education in the Media: Purpose and Contributions to Education in the Twenty-first Century Zambia"

By: Nelly Mwale

"Proclamation and Liberation in a Post Synodal and Post Independent Church in Africa: Re-Imagining the Possibilities in the Light of Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium."

By: John Segun Odeyemi

"Roman Catholic Missionaries and Converts at Daggers’ Drawn with the Native Administration in the Early Years of Evangelisation in the Bamenda Western Grasslands of British Cameroons"

By: Protus Mbeum Tem

"Zimbabwe and Politics: Questions of the Submission of Christians to Civil Authorities"

By: Isabel and Penson David Palasida

"Appreciating Recent Scholarly Interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:8"

By: Christopher Naseri

"Historical and Theological Roots of Subsidiarity in Quadragesimo Anno"

By: Idara Otu

"Biblical Paradigms for the Sustainable Use and Management of Natural Resources in Nigeria: Interpreting John 6:1-15 from an Eco-Theological Perspective"

By: Christopher Naseri, Patrick Bassey, and Oluwafemi Owolo

"Review of Mission for Diversity: Exploring Christian Mission in the Contemporary World." 

Edited by: Elochukwu E. Uzukwu. By Idara Otu

Summer, 2016: Volume 8, Number 1 • PDF

"African Communalism: Toward a Genuine Interreligious Dialogue in Sub-Saharan Africa"

By Isidore I. Nkwocha, Duquesne University 

"Violence in Christian Marriage: An Offense Against Equality"

By Matthew Ikechukwu Nwafor     

"Assessing the Constitutional and Human Rights Ramifications for the Indigenous Sacred Day of Rest in Zimbabwe"

By Collis Garikai Machoko

"Ikwerre Rites of Passage and Sacraments of Initiation: A Framework for Inculturation in Port Harcourt Diocese, Nigeria"

By Emmanuel Osigwe

Winter, 2016: Volume 7, Number 2 • PDF

"The Catholic Church on Path of Advocating for Good Governance in Ghana"

By Africanus L. Diedong, University for Development Studies, Ghana

"The Evangelizing Nazareth Maiden (Luke 1: 39-45): A Paradigm for the New Evangelization"

By Caroline Mbonu, University of Port Harcourt

“DID YOU SAY HE IS A FADA?”:THE IMAGE OF THE PRIEST IN CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE’S PURPLE HIBISCUS AND ITS SOCIO-RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR PRIESTS IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA"

By Adolphus Ekedimma Amaefule Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar

"The Catholic Church and Schools in Kenya: A Historical Perspective on Education for Holistic Development. Part II: The 1970s to the early 21st century."

By Beatrice W. Churu and Philomena N. Mwaura

"Reading Ẹbọ as Spirit: The Foundation of Authentic Christian Pneumatology among the Igala Community in Nigeria."

By Martin Ahiaba

"Existence of Ghosts, a Confirmation of Life after death: A Case Study of Apparitional Haunted Places in Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe"

Collis Garikai Machoko

"Review of: Mission for Diversity: Exploring Christian Mission in the Contemporary World." Edited by Elochukwu E. Uzukwu

By Idara Otu Idara Out

Summer, 2015: Volume 7, Number 1 • PDF

"The African Family from the Experience of a Catholic Couple in Ethiopia"

By Abel Muse and Tenagnework Haile

"Family in the Context of Evangelization: Challenges and Opportunities from Sub-Saharan Africa"

By Mbiribindi Bahati Dieudonné, SJ

"Notes on the Synodal Document 'Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization'"

By Nicholas Hamakalu

"Small Christian Communities (SCCs) Promote Family and Marriage Ministry in Eastern Africa"

By Joseph G. Healey, MM

"The Image of the Family in Chimanda Ngozi Adiche’s Purple Hibiscus and its Implications for Families in Today’s Africa"

By Adolphus Ekedimma Amaefule

"The Gospel of the Family: From Africa to the World Church"

By Philomena N. Mwaura

"Family and Marriage in Kenya Today: Pastoral Guidelines for a Process of Discussion and Action. Results of the Consultation in Kenya on the 46 Questions in the Lineamenta (guidelines) on The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World"

Winter, 2015: Volume 6, Number 2 • PDF

"Faith-Based Organizations and the Women’s Empowerment Process in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Catholic Women Organization in Tivland"

By Daniel Ude Asueu

"Christian Denominational Archives: An Assessment of their role in Cameroon Historiography"

By Michael K. Lang & H. Ami Nyoh

"Trends, Dimensions, and Effects of Corruption on Nigeria's Democratic Governance"

By Mike Opeyemi Omilusi

"Heaven and Hell in the Biblical and African Concepts of Life After Death"

By Ignatius M. C. Obinwa

"The Theological Functions of “Seek the Lord” (bᾱqqaš ʾădōnᾱy) in Zephaniah 2:1-3, for Contemporary Society"

By Michael U. Udoekpo

"Religion and Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria and Northern Uganda: Exploring a Symbiotic Relationship"

By Bamidele Oluwaseun

Summer, 2014: Volume 6, Number 1 • PDF

"Spirituality of Martyrdom in Roman Catholicism and Contemporary Islam: The Nigerian Experience"

By: Patrick U. Nwosu

"Biblical Reflections on the Identity of the Catholic Priesthood Today: Essay in Honor of an African Bishop"

By: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

2015 International Conference on World Christianity: Focus on Africa and the Global South in Light of Vatican II and Evangelii Gaudium of Pope Francis

Winter, 2014: Volume 5, Number 1 • PDF

"The Need for Prophetic Voices in the African Catholic Churches: The Nigerian Context"

By: SimonMary A. Aihiokhai, PhD

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

"My Bible, your Qur'an: Keeping Religion out of Nigerian Politics"

By: Anthony Brown Ikwueme

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA

"The challenges in the reported phenomenal growth of the Catholic Church in Africa"

By: Iheanyi Enwerem, O.P.

“African Catholicism: Intra-Ecclesial Challenges to Justice”

By: Joseph Ogbonnaya, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA

"Shying Away from the Truth: The Necessity of a Critical Evaluation of the Church in Nigeria"

By: Iheanyi Enwerem, O.P.

Winter, 2014: Volume 5, Number 2 • PDF

"Caleb Oladipo’s Pneumatology of the Yoruba Aladura Churches: An appraisal"

By: John Segun Odeyemi

"Witchcraft and the Law in Zimbabwe"

By: Collis Garikai Machoko

"To expiate the sins of his people:” A Proposed Reading of ἱλάσκεσθαι in Hebrews 2:17"

By: Toan Do

Winter, 2013: Volume 4, Number 1 • PDF

"Fifty Years after the Second Vatican Council: A Critical Review of the Roman Catholic Church’s Approach to Interreligious Dialogue and Seeking a Way Forward Through Interreligious Friendship"

SimonMary A. Aihiokhai, PhD (Cand.) Duquesne University

"Paul’s Theology of the Church as the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27): Its Missionary Implications for the Church in (Africa) Nigeria"

Michael Ufok Udoekpo, Sacred Heart School of Theology, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"African Initiated Churches and Party Politics: Zimbabwean Experience"

Collis Garikai Machoko, Huntington University

"Gender Issues Among the Yorubas"

John Segun Odeyemi, Duquesne University

Summer, 2013: Volume 4, Number 2 • PDF

"THE PRACTICE OF ORACULAR CONSULTATION AMONG SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIAN CATHOLICS AND TERRENCE TILLEY’S THEORY OF TRADITION AND RULES FOR RELIGIOUS CLAIMS"

BY AJIBOLA, G ILESANMI

"PROPHET ZEPHANIAH AND THE DEEPENING OF FAITH IN ECCLESIAE (CHURCHES) IN AFRICA AND AMERICA"

BY MICHAEL UFOK UDOEKPO

"WEALTH AND DIVINE BLESSING: A STUDY OF THE THEOLOGICAL CORRECTION IN PROVERBS 10:22 IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT"

BY OBIORAH MARY JEROME

"A CASE FOR THE USE OF CONDOM AS A THERAPEUTIC MEANS BY DISCORDANT COUPLES IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC MORAL TRADITION"

BY SIMONMARY A. AIHIOKHAI

"REVIEW OF CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL ETHICS, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE: THE TRENTO CONFERENCE"

BY JAMES F. KEENAN (EDITOR) REVIEWED BY ODOMARO MUBANGIZI

Winter, 2012: Volume 3, Number 1 • PDF

"Trinitarian Catholicity: A Paradigm For Enduring Interreligious Dialogue/Encounter"

SimonMary A. Aihiokhai

"Muslim Youth In Search Of Identity In Nigeria: The Case Of Boko Haram Violence"

Daniel Ude Asue

"African Culture And Christianity: The Role Of Women In The Church"

Philomena Njeri Mwaura

"Vatican II And The Recovery Of The Local Church: Significance For The African Church"

Okechukwu Camillus Njoku

"Beyond Cosmetics To Meaning: Challenges And Perspectives For Inculturation"

Uwineza Marcel, S.J.

Summer, 2012: Volume 3, Number 2 • PDF

"Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS: What African Can Teach the West"

Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala

"The Catholic Church and Schools in Kenya: A Historical Perspective on Education for Holistic Development. Part I: From the Colonial period to Foundations of an Educational Dispensation for Independent Kenya."

Beatrice W. Churu and Philomena N. Mwaura

"Shaping the Content for Interreligious Engagement: A Case for Interreligious Hospitality in Nigeria's Religiously Pluralistic Societies"

SimonMary A. Aihiokhai

"Religion and Sustainable Development in Africa: The Case of Nigeria"

Joseph Ogbonnaya

"Recreating Community Life Among Young People in Tiv Society, Nigeria: "The New Heavens and New Earth" (IS 65:17-25)"

Clement T. Iorliam

Winter, 2011: Volume 2, Number 1 • PDF

Promoting Small Christian Communities in Africa through the Internet,

Joseph Healey

Interreligious Living: A Personalistic and Sociological Approach to Religious Pluralismn,

Simonmary A. Aihiokhai

Continuing the Conversation on the Notion of Mission as Reconciliation: A Critical Review of Catholic Church's Dialogue with African Indigenous Religion,

Chinwe M. A. Nwoye

Ancestral Cult in African Traditional Religious Belief Systems and its Theological Relevance Today,

Bomki L. Mathew

Summer, 2011: Volume 2, Number 2 • PDF

Special Edition – Christian – Muslim Dialogue

The Spiritan Mission to Africa: Clues to building appropriate relationships with Islam,

Elochukwu Uzukwu C.S.Sp.

Catholic Dialogue with People of Other Religions,

Rev. Dr. Joseph Haruna Mamman

Root Causes and The Human/Economic Costs of Religious Conflicts in Northern Nigeria in the Last Two Decades: A Theological, Social, and Political Evaluation,

Marinus C. Iwuchukwu, Ph.D.

A Personalist Approach to the Dialogue of Civilizations: A Comparison of African Ubuntu, Social Catholic Personalism and Muslim,

Shakçânyya Dr Chris Vervliet

Interreligious Dialogue with Muslims: Reflections on Yesterday and Today,

Sandra Toenies Keating, Ph.D.

Winter, 2010: Volume 1, Number 1 • PDF

African Catholicism in the Global Context,

Laurenti Magesa

Ancestorhood in Yoruba Religion and Sainthood in Christianity: Envisioning an Ecological Awareness and Responsibility,

SimonMary A. Aihiokhai

Dominance of the Trappings of African Traditional Religion in 'Africa Magic' Movies: A Challenge for Educating the Christian Youth,

Chinwe M. A. Nwoye

Theology Brewed in an African Pot Book Review,

Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator

Summer, 2010: Volume 1, Number 2 • PDF

The Odyssey of African Theologians in America,

Marinus C. Iwuchukwu, Ph.D.

Evolving An African Christian Feminist Ethics: A Study of Nigerian Women,

Daniel Ude Asue

Missionary Work in Kenya and African Response: Implications for Pastoral Care with Young Adults,

Phyllis Muraya

Submission Guidelines

The International Journal of African Catholicism (IJAC) welcomes articles and book reviews related to the mission and purpose of the journal. The scope of the IJAC is interdisciplinary and ecumenical; therefore scholarly submissions are welcomed from a variety of perspectives.



Articles are peer-reviewed and the decision to include articles rests with the editorial board. All writing selected for publication may be edited for style, syntax and content.



Submissions must not be under consideration with any other journal when sent to IJAC.



Send all manuscripts and reviews electronically as a Word document to Dr. Randall Woodard at Randall.woodard@saintleo.edu.



When submitting articles for IJAC, please consider the following rubric as a guideline for assessing the relevance, scholarship, contribution, and writing style of each submission:

1. Relevance of content/argument to the mission and purpose of the journal
2. Scholarship and academic quality
3. Makes a valuable contribution to the interdisciplinary study of African Catholicism
4. Submission is written well and communicates effectively

Since submissions are welcome from a variety of different academic disciplines, contributors may use different styles in their research and writing. However, we ask all contributors to follow the guidelines listed below.

• As an online journal, length is not a major concern. However, typical articles will range from 3,000-6,000 words. While book reviews should range from 500-1,000 words.
• Double-space all work in Times New Roman 12 font. 
• All manuscript submissions should be accompanied with an abstract of 200-400 words providing readers with the basic meaning of the article.
• Upon acceptance, authors will be asked to provide a brief autobiographical sketch of about 100 words detailing their academic background, current employer or school, prior publications and research interests.