Melita Theologica is a scholarly peer-reviewed journal published bi­annually since 1947. It is published under the joint collaboration of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta, the Theology Students Association and the Foundation for Theological Studies of the Archdiocese of Malta.

Melita Theologica contains articles penned by academics on a range of topics that includes systematics, biblical studies, spiritual and pastoral theology, bioethics, liturgy and psychology. At a time when different outlooks, new questions and contemporary challenges continue to mould Christian theological thought, Melita Theologica provides a forum for academic expression that interests and stimulates scholars and students alike.

The journal is characterised by an interdisciplinary approach, multiplicity of research perspectives and a broad reflection on philosophical and theological issues.

The peer review process includes two stages:

• an internal review by the Editorial Board of Melita Theologica
• a process of double blind review by two international scholars independent of the Editorial Board.

The reviewers’ responsibilities are as follows:

• to assist in improving the quality of the proposed article by reviewing it objectively, in a timely manner and to contribute to the decision-making process
• to maintain the confidentiality of any information supplied by the editor or author
• to alert the editor to any published or submitted content that is substantially similar to that under review
• to alert the editor to any relevant published work which is not yet cited
• to alert the editor to any potential conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, collaborative, etc) between the reviewer and the author
• to not retain or copy the manuscript.

Melita Theologica is committed to meeting and upholding standards of ethical behaviour at all stages of the publication process.

Editors' responsibilities

• to act in a balanced, objective and fair way while carrying out their expected duties, without discrimination on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, ethnic or geographical origin of the authors
• to handle submissions for sponsored supplements or special issues in the same way as other submissions, so that articles are considered and accepted solely on their academic merit and without commercial influence
• to adopt and follow reasonable procedures in the event of complaints of an ethical or conflict nature, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the journal where appropriate
• to give authors a reasonable opportunity to respond to any complaints ans retain documents associated with such complaints
• to accept or reject an article, and promote publication of correction or retraction when errors are found
• to implement the journal's anti-ghostwriting procedure and strict plagiarism detection policy.

Authors’ responsibilities

• to maintain accurate records of data associated with their submitted manuscript, and to supply or provide access to these data, on reasonable request
• to sign a Licence Contract and Authors Declaration Form, which is the statement that all data in article are real and authentic
• to confirm that the manuscript as submitted is not under consideration or accepted for publication elsewhere
• to acknowledge and cite sources where portions of the content overlap with published or submitted content
• to ensure that any studies involving human or animal subjects conform to national, local and institutional laws and requirements and confirm that approval has been sought and obtained where appropriate
• to declare any potential conflicts of interest (e.g. where the author has a competing interest (real or apparent) that could be considered or viewed as exerting an undue influence on his or her duties at any stage during the publication process)
• to notify promptly the editor or publisher if a significant error in their publication is identified
• to cooperate with the editor and publisher to publish an erratum, addendum, corrigendum notice, or to retract the paper, where this is deemed necessary.

Co-Editors-in-Chief

• Micallef Martin OFM Cap (Chief)

Editorial Board

• Attard Stefan
• Farrugia Jonathan
• Mangion Claude
• Micallef Martin (Chair)
• Sciberras Paul
• Sultana Carl M.
• Zammit Raymond

Administrative Board

• Avellino John (chair)
• Attard Stefan
• Doublet Nicholas 
• Zammit Raymond

Asti Francesco, Pontificia Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Meridionale, Naples
Barba Maurizio, Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome
Beutler Johannes, Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome
Buchanan Michael T., Australian Catholic University
Cahill Lisa Sowle, Boston College
De Mey Peter, KU Leuven
Hughes Gerard, University of Oxford
Francis-Vincent Anthony, Pontificia Università Salesiana, Rome
Lamberigts Mathijs, KU Leuven
Mendonça Augustin, St Paul University, Ottowa
Osewska Elzbieta, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, University, Warsaw
Stala Josef, Pontifical University of John Paul II, Cracow
Wicks Robert, Loyola University, Maryland

Abram Anna, Heythrop College, University of London (Ethics)
Agius Joseph op, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Scripture)
Alford Helen, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Catholic Social Teaching)
Attard Mark, Pontifical Gregorian University (Ethics)
Attard Stefan, University of Malta (Old Testament Studies)
Austin Nick sj, Heythrop College, University of London (Ethics)
Basta Pasquale, Pontificio Istituto Biblico (Scripture)
Beutler Johannes sj, Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (New Testament)
Bezzina Joseph, University of Malta (Church History)
Bieringer Reimund, KU Leuven (Scripture)
Borg Carmel, University of Malta (Education)
Brodeur Scott sj, Pontifical Gregorian University (Scripture)
Buhagiar Mario, University of Malta (Arts)
Bullivant Stephen, St Mary's University College (Twickenham Theology)
Buttigieg Jean, University of Malta (Philosophy)
Carola Joseph sj, Pontifical Gregorian University (Patristics)
Caruana Louis sj, Pontifical Gregorian University (Philosophy)
Caruana Sandro, University of Malta (Education)
Cary Phillip, Eastern University (Philosophy)
Cloutier David, Mount St. Mary’s University (Ecology)
Conway Eamonn, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick (Theology)
Cruz Gemma, Australian Catholic University (Migration theologies)
Cullen John, Maynooth University (Business Ethics)
Daughton Amy, The Margaret Beaufort Institute, University of Cambridge (Political Theology)
Delicata Nadia, University of Malta (Ethics)
Duffy Eugene, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick (Theology)
Fáinche Ryan, Trinity College Dublin (Theology)
Farrow Douglas McGill University (Theology)
Farrugia Edward sj, Pontifical Oriental Institute (Eastern patristics)
Ferrari Silvio, Università degli Studi di Milano (Law)
Friggieri Joe, University of Malta (Philosophy)
Gabriel Gauci, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Gozo Seminary (Philosophy)
Grech Konrad sj, University of Malta (Church History)
Günter Virt, Universität Wien (Ethics)
Haers Jacques, KU Leuven (Ethics)
Heller Dagmar, Ecumenical Institute, Bossey (Ecumenical Theology)
João J. Vila-Chã sj, Pontifical Gregorian University (Philosophy)
Ker Ian, University of Oxford (Theology)
Kilby Karen, Durham University (Theology)
Kindiy Oleh, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv (Eastern Patristics)
Knieps Thomas, KU Leuven (Comparative Ethics)
Kosińska Anna, University of Lublin (European Union Law)
Lamberigts Mathijs, KU Leuven (History)
Lintner Martin, Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Brixen (Ethics)
Magro Emanuel Paul, Catholic University of America. Washington (Religious Education)
Mayo Peter, University of Malta (Education)
McDonagh Sean, Brisbane Catholic Education (Ecology)
Medda Roberta, Institute for Minority Rights. EURAC, Bolzano (Human Rights)
Micallef René M sj, Pontifical Gregorian University (Social Ethics)
Milligan Tony, King's College London (Philosophy)
Murray Paul D, Durham University (Theology)
O'Collins Gerald, sj, St Mary's University College, Twickenham (Fundamental Theology)
Orysya Bila, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv (Social & Political Philosophy)
Pace Paul sj, University of Malta (Ethics)
Pacillo Vincenzo, Università degli. Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Law)
Pavelčík Július, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice (Scripture)
Pecklers Keith sj, Pontifical Gregorian University (Liturgy)
Perendy László, Péter Pázmány Catholic University, Budapest (Patristics)
Puigdomènech Rosell, European Group on Ethics of Sciences & New Tech.(Ethics & Biosciences)
Roszak Piotr, Nicolaus, Copernicus University (Fundamental)
Schockenhoff Eberhard, University of Freiburg (Ethics)
Simmonds Gemma sj, Heythrop College, University of London (Spirituality)
Smirnova Maria, The University of Manchester (Law)
Soo Mary, Scott Durham, North Carolina (Health Care)
Strange Roderick, St Mary's University College, Twickenham (Fundamental Theology)
Sullivan John, Liverpool Hope University (Education)
Tanner Norman, Pontifical Gregorian University (Church History)
Teslyuk Halyna, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv (Scripture)
Thiel Marie-Jo, Université de Strasbourg (Ethics)
Towey Anthony, St Mary's University College, Twickenham (Theological Literacy)
Tyler Peter, St Mary's University College, Twickenham (Spirituality)
Verstraeten Johan, KU Leuven (Ethics)
Walsh Terrance, Pontifical Gregorian University (Philosophy)
Weinandy Thomas ofmcap, King's College London (Scripture)
Wijlens Myriam, University of Erfurt (Canon Law)

Submissions
Submission of unpublished articles of up to 10,000 words, including footnotes, on any branch of religious and theological studies are welcome. Submissions are considered for publication on the understanding that the author offers Melita Theologica an exclusive option to publish, and the contribution is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. It is the responsibility of the author to obtain permission for using any previously published material.

Plagiarism and Ghostwriting
No plagiarism, no fraudulent data. Melita Theologica uses plagiarism detection software Turnitin. The journal considers 'ghostwriting' and 'guest authorship' as a sign of very serious scientific misconduct. All the detected cases of 'ghostwriting' and 'guest authorship' will be exposed, including notification of relevant institutions. As a result, Melita Theologica introduced procedures to address this phenomenon. All contributors must fulfil and sign the declaration concerning 'ghost-writing' and 'guest authorship'.

Privacy Statement
The University of Malta fully respects the right to privacy and protection of personal data of all authors. The authors’ personal data is not used for commercial and/or marketing purposes.