Introducing
a Semiannual Journal
Devoted to the Study of the
International Military Chaplaincy

Download free copies of Curtana now!

Volume 1 Issue 1 (Fall 2009)
Volume 1 Issue 2 (Spring 2010)

Why is the journal needed?

Although different branches of the military produce publications with an internal focus, there is no other professional journal which combines the purposes of Curtana. Our vision exceeds the aim of existing chaplaincy publications, which admirably meet their narrower goals. Chaplains in the United States, and other nations as well, will benefit from a forum in which they can discuss matters deemed too sensitive for official publications.

In a word, Curtana is independent. Curtana is not associated in any manner with the United States Department of Defense (or the government of any other nation, for that matter). Our editorial policies owe no debt to anyone, so there is freedom to pose questions in this forum which does not exist in publications financed by official military organizations.

What are the journal's purposes?

1. Curtana is committed to the comprehensive preservation of chaplaincy history.
2. Curtana is dedicated to a Joint and International point of view which transcends specific service or national parochialisms.
3. Curtana is devoted to the search for Truth, and will readily debate subjects considered too controversial for official government publications.
4. Curtana is also pledged to provide beneficial articles and resources for ministry.

By whom is Curtana being written?

The articles in Curtana will come from a wide array of writers, both living and dead. Much of the material will consist of the recovery of primary sources scattered throughout the public domain. Current articles and editorials will flow from the pens of past and present members of the military chaplaincies from a variety of nations. It is hoped that chaplain assistants will also make valuable contributions to the discussion. Non-chaplaincy military members will offer their insights, and civilian clergy and laity will be welcome as contributors as well. The credentials of the writers will be important of course, but they will deservedly take a back seat to the substance of the essays themselves.

We anticipate the majority of the material appearing in the journal will be by, and about, chaplains. At the same time, we recognize the vital role played by chaplain assistants. (Indeed, the zeal of many chaplain assistants outshines the commitment of a good number of chaplains.) We welcome contributions from enlisted members of the military chaplaincy.

In a broader sense, all military people who possess a strong faith will be interested in certain aspects of this publication. Many of them have invested significant time and energy in partnering with chaplains. Some of these will wish to subscribe to Curtana, and a few will (we hope) contribute their own insights for the greater good.

Submissions are not be limited to prose articles. We are also considering poetry and illustrative artwork for inclusion in the journal. Add your name to our list of writers!

For whom is Curtana being written?

The audience of Curtana consists of everyone interested in the history and direction of the military chaplaincy. While chaplains and chaplain assistants possess an obvious affinity for the publication, everyone concerned about faith in the military, will be eager readers of the journal.

In order to make Curtana available to everyone interested in this fascinating subject, subscriptions to the journal are free. It is published in a PDF format and available for download from this website. Subscribers will receive email notice of the publication of each issue, and a direct link to the download address.

By whom is Curtana being funded?

The publication model for Curtana is that it will always remain a free journal. We offer it this way in the belief that citizens of all nations can benefit from access to this information. Please note, however, that free distribution in no way limits the copyright protection of all of the material appearing in the journal. If you desire to republish anything in the journal in any format other than Curtana † Sword of Mercy in its entirety, you must seek written permission to do so.

Costs are reduced by the fact that submissions to the journal will be made without financial compensation (as is, of course, normal for professional journals). Contributors will, of course, retain all of the aforementioned copyrights to their creations.

The legal publisher of Curtana is Scriptorium Novum Press | The New Scriptorium. Scriptorium Novum Press is a small LLC.