Dear Authors and Readers,

thank you for your collaboration and interest in the scientific journal "Prawo Kanoniczne" (Canon Law), published in 2025. As planned, four issues of our quarterly journal were published. The number of published articles (see "Statistics" in the "For Authors" section) and the number of visits to the journal's website indicate significant interest. According to data based on a counter methodology, the number of visits to the website to view abstracts in PDF format reached 124.000. The abstracts in English increase the visibility of authors and their texts, and the inclusion of the journal in databases increases interest in Polish research in canon law.

In 2027, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the oldest Polish journal dedicated to canon law. To this end, we are working to improve our journal, both in terms of its academic content and its publication process. A new format for exchanging views within our journal is the "book symposium" or "book forum" (common in the humanities and social sciences in English-speaking journals). This involves a debate on an important and current publication, featuring critical texts from 3-5 authors, each offering a different perspective. The debate is preceded by a brief introductory text (editorial introduction) and concluded with a response from the author of the publication.

In order to meet new publication requirements, we introduced several changes regarding published articles last year. This year, we are also committed to implementing further editorial changes and complying with the Act of 4th April 2019, on the digital accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public entities (Dz. U. z 2023 r. poz. 82, ze zm. [Journal of Laws 2023, item 82, as amended]). Therefore, we kindly ask you to review the requirements for preparing the text, which are available on our website ("For Authors": Article Structure and Formatting), especially regarding tables, figures, maps, photographs, diagrams, or graphs used in the text. A new requirement is the completion of a form regarding the thematic classification of the article (Sustainable Development Goals / Polish heritage research / gender equality perspective) when uploading the text file for publication.

Starting with volume 69 of "Prawo Kanoniczne" (2026), authors are required to include several declarations at the end of their text, prepare a bibliography, and use the Chicago citation style (Author – Date Style, 17th edition), as well as provide an abstract according to a prepared template (background and justification of the topic; main research objective; methods used; key results; most important conclusions). The clarity of the abstract allows readers to understand the problem, thesis, and main line of argument, which increases the likelihood of the scientific content being cited, recommended, and used in academic discussions. This also strengthens the journal's image as being open to a global audience, despite being published in Polish. We encourage authors to submit their articles in international languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German).

All information regarding the preparation and submission of texts can be found on the journal's website in the "For Authors" section. Texts submitted to the editorial office should be formatted according to the current template, as required by university regulations. Some changes will be implemented in the first issue, while all other changes will be introduced in the second issue of the current volume. We kindly ask our esteemed authors to review the editorial requirements and guidelines in order to prepare their texts for publication.

We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and exchange of ideas. We also encourage doctoral students to boldly present the results of their scientific research. May "Prawo Kanoniczne" continue to be a platform for inspiring discussions and the exchange of views.

Tomasz Gałkowski CP

Editor-in-Chief

Dear Readers,

There has recently been a change in the editorial team of the legal (canon law) and historical quarterly “Prawo Kanoniczne” (“Canon Law”). Aware of the deep and ongoing need for the continued existence of the oldest Polish journal dedicated to canon law, we are committed to continuing the work begun by our predecessors.

We invite our long-standing contributors, as well as emerging scholars in the field of canon law and related disciplines, to share the results of their research in our pages. We intend to continue publishing the journal in its current quarterly format. We are also open to the “first steps” taken in the field of academic research by students and doctoral candidates at faculties of canon law or law faculties.  All submitted articles undergo a peer review process, and the feedback provided by reviewers offers valuable guidance for further academic development and for the effective presentation of research findings.

Returning readers and contributors will notice a visible change in the graphic layout of our published articles. In introducing this change, we have sought to remain faithful to the tradition of canon law scholarship, while combining what is lasting with what must adapt to the evolving realities of academic publishing. Each issue of the journal will be made available online immediately after its finalization and layout. These articles may be cited and included in academic output before the release of the print edition.

Counting on the continued cooperation of all those interested in the study of Church law and related disciplines, we wish you an attentive reading of the studies presented in this issue and encourage lively, substantive scholarly discussion. We would like "Prawo Kanoniczne" to be not only a place for presenting one’s academic knowledge and scholarly contributions, but also a marketplace of debate and exchange—one that allows us to delve deeper and uncover what might otherwise remain hidden.

The Editorial Board

“Prawo Kanoniczne”