The Mariological Society of America presented its Cardinal Wright Award to Father Manuel Miguens, OFM, at its 26th national convention in Atlanta. The society convened for two days to hear and discuss papers on Mary and the contemporary world. These included:

"Mary a Virgin? Silence in the new Testament," by Father Miguens; "Ecumenical Problems in Mariology," by Father Bertrand deMargerie, SJ, Paris, France; "Mariology as an Ecumenical Problem," by Dr. Ross MacKenzie, professor of Church History at the Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA; and "A Survey of Recent Mariology," by Father Eamon R. Carroll, O.Carm., Washington, DC.

Archbishop Donnellan welcomed the members and complimented them on their work for the Church. In his remarks, he noted that Vatican II "exhorts theologians and preachers that in preaching the unique dignity of the Mother of God, they carefully avoid exaggerations on the one hand and excessive narrow-mindedness on the other."

Father George Kirwin, OMI, gave the presidential address that concentrated on the issue of "the relevancy of Mary," noting that where he found ignorance of her, it could be due to the fact that "in the past we simply accepted Mary without much critical reflection, while in recent years many have rejected her out of hand." He encouraged the society to clarify "the meaning of Mary within the context of salvation."

The society's president quoted a news source about "a statement made by Father Avery Dulles, SJ, concerning the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and Assumption." He commented that "according to the report, Father Dulles advocates the lifting of the ban of excommunication from those who do not accept these two Marian dogmas defined by Popes Pius IC and Pius XII." And this, so that "it would contribute to the cause of Christian unity," Father Kirwin added, "whether or not we agree with Father Dulles' solution, the problem he seeks to deal with is a real one," he said, adding, "rather than hurl additional anathemas in the direction of those who would make such a suggestion, the Marian theology must contribute to the discovery of new insights which will aid an appreciation of the providential nature of these two papal definitions."

He also called attention to a published article by Rosemary Reuther and quoted from a paragraph that treats of what Reuther declares the "illegitimate development" of the doctrine of Mary's virginity. "These remarks," he commented, "would tend to rouse the ire of the Mariologist who sees them as an attack not only on his field of competence but even on his spiritual Mother." He advised the membership that they must "focus on the real issues being raised" and provide light "rather than smoke that beclouds the issues and makes little contribution, except for an unpleasant odor."

The Mariological Society's John Cardinal Wright Award for outstanding achievements in the field of Scriptural scholarship was presented to Rev. Manuel Miguens, OFM, by Archbishop Donnellan.

Miguens has doctorates in Theology and Sacred Scripture, has taught Sacred Scripture in Jerusalem for 15 years, recently terminated six years of teaching at the Catholic University of America and currently teaches in the Cluster Theological school, Washington, DC, also Mt. St. Mary's, Emmetsburg, Maryland.

Father Dominic J. Unger, OFM Cap., a research writer and Church scholar from Washington, DC, introduced Father Miguens for the reading of his paper as "a master exegete."