A new statute updates rules of the Pontifical International Marian Academy
Vatican News
In an audience with Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, Pope Leo XIV approved the new statute for the Pontifical International Marian Academy.
According to a rescript published on 7 February by the Holy See Press Office, these new rules recognize the need to update the Academy’s guidelines to better align with its evolving mission and the current structure of the Curial institutions.
History of the Pontifical International Marian Academy
Up until now, as Pope Francis stated in his message to the Pontifical Academies on December 4, 2019, the Pontifical International Marian Academy “has accompanied the Universal Magisterium of the Church with research and coordination of Marian studies [...] through cooperation among various academic institutions,” providing “a clear testament to the fact that Mariology is a necessary presence for dialogue among cultures and is capable of nourishing fraternity and peace.”
The Academy was founded in 1946 by the Order of Friars Minor, together with the Commissio Mariana Franciscana, for organizing studies and Marian devotion within the Order.
Both institutions were placed under the leadership of Fr. Carlo Balić, who had inspired their creation, and at that time, was the magnificent rector of the Pontifical Antonianum University and head of the Chair of Mariology.
Since 1950, the Holy See has entrusted the Academy with organizing the International Mariological-Marian Congresses. On December 8, 1959, Pope Saint John XXIII, through the Motu Proprio “Maiora in dies”, recognized the Academy's contribution to the progress of Marian doctrine and piety and thus he added the title of "Pontifical" to its name.
He also entrusted the Academy with organizing the International Mariological Marian Congresses, coordinating meetings of mariology scholars worldwide, and supporting studies on the Blessed Virgin Mary to promote both excellence in mariology and authentic Marian devotion. Thus the Pontifical International Marian Academy was born.
Integration with the Antonianum
Since its creation, the Academy was placed under the authority of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office (now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith). Under the 1997 statutes, the responsibility for coordinating the Academy's activities with those of the other Pontifical Academies was given to the Pontifical Council for Culture.
With the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, this responsibility was transferred to the Dicastery for Culture and Education. On May 18, 1972, the Pontifical International Marian Academy was formally integrated into the Pontifical Antonianum as a specialized body in the field of mariology. On December 4, 2012, the Pontifical International Marian Academy also welcomed the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate into its organization.
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