On November 25, 2025, CONFER (Spanish Conference of Religious) held the 6th edition of the Charism Awards in Madrid, Spain, for those who have recently distinguished themselves in social commitment as a living reflection of Christian values. One of these awards, the Charisma Award for Formation and Spirituality, was presented to the Redemptorist priest and theologian Marciano Vidal.
“The Spanish Conference of Religious, (CONFER) has convened us once again to proudly demonstrate that this society, both civil and ecclesial, is full of people who shape their life’s purpose and professional qualifications in service to others”; thus opened Jesús Díaz Sariego, president of CONFER, at the 6th edition of the Carisma Awards, recalling that “the religious men and women in Spain want to communicate to the whole of Spanish society the good that the award winners do for us.”
The Charisma Award for Formation and Spirituality was bestowed upon theologian Marciano Vidal, an octogenarian Redemptorist priest whose work has left a profound mark. Vidal is recognized for “his decisive contribution to the renewal of Catholic moral theology over the last four decades,” applying, as a Redemptorist, the insights of the Second Vatican Council to contemporary ethical challenges.
Marciano Vidal CSsR, in his words of thanks, recalled that his mission has always been to renew moral theology, ever since his participation in the last session of the Second Vatican Council, and that his entire life has been dedicated to this. He noted that the Redemptorist university centers in Spain (the Institute of Moral Theology) and in Rome (the Alphonsian Academy) have contributed to the renewal of moral theology and to the formation of many generations in this field for the ethical development of contemporary society. “A renewal that we have also applied to religious life,” he commented. He recalled that Saint Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists, always remarked that moral theology is chaotic because it is something that must be continually worked on and updated.
At the awards ceremony, other prizes were also given to different people and institutions that have contributed to various fields of Spanish society that CONFER calls: Charism of Justice and Mission, Education, Charism of Health, Communication, Faith and Culture, Charism of Shared Mission, Safe Environments and Charism of Impact.
(vidanuevadigital.com / Scala News)
