A priest, a nun and a layman who played vital roles in the Archdiocesan Synod and their respective congresses have received honors from the Holy Father.

Father Michael Manning, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul parish, chairman of the Synod and a priest for 30 years, was elevated to the rank of domestic prelate while Sister Mary Virginia, who headed the Sisters Congress, and James Callison, president of the Lay Congress, received the papal title of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for Church and Holy Father).

The three were nominated for their honors by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan. Msgr. Manning was notified of his elevation at a clergy dinner following the Mass of jubilee. Sister Virginia was told of her honor at the sisters’ reception in honor of Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, apostolic delegate to the United States, and Callison received his medal at the public reception for the apostolic delegate.

Archbishop Hallinan had this to say:

Father Manning

“To a man who is indeed a priest among priests, Father Michael Manning, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul parish. He came to Georgia as the primogenitor of a line of splendid young priests from Ireland, and remained to become a truly American priest. He has been a missionary in his own time, covering thousands of miles, serving handfuls of Catholics, building churches and chapels. He is a pastor who has loved and served his people, and learned that by this they come to love him more.” “As Archdiocesan consultor, he has given bishops honestly and earnestly a piece of his mind, and they are humbly in his debt for this. He has served as moderator, not of priests nor nuns, nor of men, nor young adults, but of our hundreds of Catholic women. Finally, it is an honor to present for the papal honor of domestic prelate, with the title and privileges thereto, the name of Father Michael Manning.” Sister Virginia

“To a pioneer in the movement known as the Sisters’ Congress held in the archdiocese May 1-2, 1966, to make recommendations to the Synod. Sister, a member of the Grey Nuns of Sacred Heart, has served as principal of the school of Christ the King Cathedral.”

“From January until May, Sister Virginia worked patiently with the various committees of sisters, coordinating their special studies of liturgy, education, formation, health and social service. During the Congress, sister presided as chairman of the discussions, debates, voting and decisions of nearly 200 sisters. It is a pleasure to nominate for the papal title of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for Church and Holy Father) the name of Sister Mary Virginia.”

James Callison

“The recent Vatican Council has given us, in the decree on the laity, a clear definition of the new Catholic layman in the renewal of the Church. It also gave us a portrait of such a layman -- firm in faith, rich in charity, dedicated to his own work in the world, yet freely giving his time, energy and skill to the apostolate of a Christian.”

“After several years of splendid parish leadership, Mr. Callison was foremost among many fine laymen who emerged during the Lay Congress, personalizing the definition, making alive that portrait. The archdiocese is grateful to them and to the entire laity of the people of God in our time.” “Two years ago, the archdiocese honored eight laymen and laywomen from all over the area for special reasons. Now we add to that list of recipients of the papal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for Church and Holy Father) the name of a young Catholic lawyer, a gifted and generous member of Most Blessed Sacrament parish, general chairman of the Lay Congress of 1966 -- Mr. James Callison.”