Vatican stops use of titles for Mary

[Always in His Presence]

Vatican nixes use of ‘Co-Redemptrix’ as title for Mary​

Vatican City, Nov 4, 2025 / 08:15 am

The Vatican’s doctrinal office said Tuesday the title of “Co-Redemptrix” is not an appropriate way to describe Mary’s participation in salvation.

In Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”), the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) said when an expression requires frequent explanation to maintain the correct meaning, it becomes unhelpful.

“In this case, the expression ‘co-redemptrix’ does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ,” according to the doctrinal note, released Nov. 4.

Pope Leo XIV approved the document, signed by DDF prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, on Oct. 7.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Vatican nixes use of ‘Co-Redemptrix’ as title for Mary​

Vatican City, Nov 4, 2025 / 08:15 am

The Vatican’s doctrinal office said Tuesday the title of “Co-Redemptrix” is not an appropriate way to describe Mary’s participation in salvation.

In Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”), the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) said when an expression requires frequent explanation to maintain the correct meaning, it becomes unhelpful.

“In this case, the expression ‘co-redemptrix’ does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ,” according to the doctrinal note, released Nov. 4.

Pope Leo XIV approved the document, signed by DDF prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, on Oct. 7.

So what do YOU make of it?

 

[Always in His Presence]

So what do YOU make of it?

I think it is a good thing and they are balancing out their belief systems - I like what is stated in the article

“This text also aims to deepen the proper foundations of Marian devotion by specifying Mary’s place in her relationship with believers in light of the mystery of Christ as the sole mediator and redeemer. This entails a profound fidelity to Catholic identity while also requiring a particular ecumenical effort,” Fernández wrote.

In addition to “Co-Redemptrix,” the document also addressed at length the Marian title “Mediatrix” or “Mediatrix of All Graces,” analyzing related Church teaching on Mary’s role as intercessor.

The DDF concluded that “some titles, such as ‘Mediatrix of All Graces,’ have limits that do not favor a correct understanding of Mary’s unique place.”

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Vatican nixes use of ‘Co-Redemptrix’ as title for Mary​

Vatican City, Nov 4, 2025 / 08:15 am

The Vatican’s doctrinal office said Tuesday the title of “Co-Redemptrix” is not an appropriate way to describe Mary’s participation in salvation.

In Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”), the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) said when an expression requires frequent explanation to maintain the correct meaning, it becomes unhelpful.

“In this case, the expression ‘co-redemptrix’ does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ,” according to the doctrinal note, released Nov. 4.

Pope Leo XIV approved the document, signed by DDF prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, on Oct. 7.

I wonder if the catechism has been updated.

 

[The Liturgist]

I wonder if the catechism has been updated.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was never officially referred to as co-Redemptrix. The group advocating for this “Fifth Dogma” was doing so based on a peculiar threatening vision of “the Lady who was once called Mary” by a Dutch woman named Ida Peerdeman, which was consistently declared unworthy of belief by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, but still the same entity basically.

Vatican nixes use of ‘Co-Redemptrix’ as title for Mary​

Vatican City, Nov 4, 2025 / 08:15 am

The Vatican’s doctrinal office said Tuesday the title of “Co-Redemptrix” is not an appropriate way to describe Mary’s participation in salvation.

In Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”), the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) said when an expression requires frequent explanation to maintain the correct meaning, it becomes unhelpful.

“In this case, the expression ‘co-redemptrix’ does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ,” according to the doctrinal note, released Nov. 4.

Pope Leo XIV approved the document, signed by DDF prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, on Oct. 7.

The title of your thread is misleading, since the Vatican never officially used this title to refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary and had ruled the vision used to justify support for declaring the Theotokos to be “co-Reemptrix” by advocates of the “Fifth Dogma” as unworthy of belief.

And they have also only precluded the use of this particular title for the Theotokos, which is a relief for myself and other Orthodox Christians and traditional Catholics, who support the extreme veneration of Our Glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary while being staunchly opposed to both Collyridianism (the worship of her) and Antidicomarianism (refusal to venerate the Theotokos or to acknowledge her perpetual virginity) and Nestorianism (refusal to refer to Our Lady as Theotokos).

All accepted titles for the Blessed Virgin Mary remain in use, according to this decision, for she is the Mother of God, in whose womb was contained the Only Begotten Son and Word of God, who created the cosmos, and who is uncontainable, and from whom He put on our human nature, facilitating His salvation of us on the Cross, where the King of Glory trampled down death by death, thus saving His mother and humanity from the deadly wages of sin, so that those who believe on Him shall enjoy everlasting life (John 3:16) through the grace of the Holy Spirit, particularly as received through baptism, whether the baptism of blood or desire such as that of the Good Thief or the baptism of water, and Holy Communion.

Now if only the Vatican would do something about Traditiones Custodes and also liberation theology and the liberal bishops in Germany.

 

[Bob Crowley]

While I think Mary is the "man" of the hour in some ways, I have been a bit concerned about what seems to me to be an over-playing of her role.

My Presbyterian pastor wasn't anti-Catholic, although he obviously had differences of opinion with the Catholic Church.

In one discusssion about Marian apparitions he said "There's been a lot of them" and "I think they're a judgement on a divided church". When Mary calls for devotion to her sacred heart, what she's actually saying is that God wants HIS church back in one piece.

At the same time she is only who she is because of her divine Son.

I think this clarification is overdue.

 

[Servus]

It's a step in the right direction.

 

[concretecamper]

“In this case, the expression ‘co-redemptrix’ does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ,” according to the doctrinal note, released Nov. 4.

Reading between the lines:

Mary is the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace.

But let's be eccumenical to the ill informed protestants.

 

[concretecamper]

I wonder if the catechism has been updated.

Why would it be updated?

Care to rxplain what you would think the update would be.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I think it is a good thing and they are balancing out their belief systems - I like what is stated in the article

What we Catholics been trying to say for a long long time is that Mary does not take away from Jesus. So in trying to explain how Mary is a mediator, and even the rest of us are mediators, under the grand mediatorship of Jesus, we finally, I guess, collectively gave up trying to explain it all. Maybe what we believe is a tiny bit clearer now for you all. But it's really no different than it was.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I wonder if the catechism has been updated.

I don't see the need.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

The Blessed Virgin Mary was never officially referred to as co-Redemptrix. The group advocating for this “Fifth Dogma” was doing so based on a peculiar threatening vision of “the Lady who was once called Mary” by a Dutch woman named Ida Peerdeman, which was consistently declared unworthy of belief by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, but still the same entity basically.

Oh the apparition movement and such. Thanks.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Reading between the lines:

Mary is the first and foremost collaborator in the work of redemption and grace.

But let's be eccumenical to the ill informed protestants.

“This text also aims to deepen the proper foundations of Marian devotion by specifying Mary’s place in her relationship with believers in light of the mystery of Christ as the sole mediator and redeemer. This entails a profound fidelity to Catholic identity while also requiring a particular ecumenical effort,” Fernández wrote.

That's pretty plain - even to us poor "ill informed protestants"

curious - do purposed attempts at degrading a Christian ever help to strengthen or win a dialog? I think not.

 

[concretecamper]

That's pretty plain - even to us poor "ill informed protestants"

curious - do purposed attempts at degrading a Christian ever help to strengthen or win a dialog? I think not.

I'm just stating it plainly. If you feel degraded, might I suggest you understand fully what you are posting, especially when it is about His Church.

 

[Always in His Presence]

I'm just stating it plainly. If you feel degraded, might I suggest you understand fully what you are posting.

I certainly do - between the ability to read and comprehend English and my Masters in Theology and Divinity, it is a good combination showing I am not by any means ill informed.

I am also the one one quoting verbatim (that means word for word) the article, not reading between the lines, but reading the lines themselves. See 'reading between the lines' is subjective and suggest the reader understand the operation of the good Rev.'s mind instead of just reading his very plainly stated text for what it says.

 

[concretecamper]

I certainly do - between the ability to read and comprehend English and my Masters in Theology and Divinity, it is a good combination showing I am not by any means ill informed.

Yes, you keep reminding everyone about that I wonder why?

I am also the one one quoting verbatim (that means word for word) the article, not reading between the lines, but reading the lines themselves. See 'reading between the lines' is subjective and suggest the reader understand the operation of the good Rev.'s mind instead of just reading his very plainly stated text for what it says.

It is clear from the article that the Theology about The Blessed Virgin Mary has not changed.

You seem to be obsessed (in the wrong way)with His Church, curious

 

[Always in His Presence]

Yes, you keep reminding everyone about that I wonder why?

Because some people here think because I am not Roman Catholic, it automatically makes me ignorant. Which is ignorance itself. The thought that anyone who disagrees is obviously ill informed is gross ignorance IMHO and reminding those detractors that I am educated helps other readers understand my back ground.

Why does that bother you so much?

It is clear from the article that the Theology about The Blessed Virgin Mary has not changed.

I quoted the article verbatim -
the article is from the Vatican -
Your issues are not with me, but the Vatican.

You seem to be obsessed (in the wrong way)with His Church, curious

Nope not any more that the numerous thread discussing theology of the 'Protestant (His Church also)' denominations.

See - this is the General Theology Forum, where we are free to discuss any Christian Theological Topics.

There is no protected class here - there are forums where the Roman Catholic Church is protected - that is why I don't post there.

But to restate yet again:

From the Vatican:

“This text also aims to deepen the proper foundations of Marian devotion by specifying Mary’s place in her relationship with believers in light of the mystery of Christ as the sole mediator and redeemer. This entails a profound fidelity to Catholic identity while also requiring a particular ecumenical effort,” Fernández wrote.

Sole means - only.

 

[concretecamper]

Because some people here think because I am not Roman Catholic, it automatically makes me ignorant. Which is ignorance itself. The thought that anyone who disagrees is obviously ill informed is gross ignorance IMHO and reminding those detractors that I am educated helps other readers understand my back ground.

Why does that bother you so much?

There are plenty of non Roman Catholics who are very informative and offer a lot on this forum. Some people are I'll informed and some people are not.

Nope not any more that the numerous thread discussing theology of the 'Protestant (His Church also)' denominations.

See - this is the General Theology Forum, where we are free to discuss any Christian Theological Topics.

There is no protected class here - there are forums where the Roman Catholic Church is protected - that is why I don't post there.

Just don't be so sensitive when someone corrects you.

Sole means - only.

I and His Church agree 100 percent.

So again, what was the purpose of your post? Was it to tell this forum that the teaching of His Church has not changed and that His Church teaches that Jesus Christ is the Sole Mediator?

Or was there another motive?

 

[The Liturgist]

Oh the apparition movement and such. Thanks.

Specifically one such apparition. As an Orthodox I can tell you Our Lady appears routinely and I accept most Roman Catholic apparitions uncritically. In the case of Our Lady of Fatima, there is some concern over what was meant by “the conversion of Russia” since obviously Russia did not need to be converted, except from the Communist Bolshevik infestation, and after a few years of that the people were quite ready to be converted back. Medjugorje I don’t think has been officially endorsed and if it was, I wouldn’t accept it.

However, Our Lady of Guadalupe, now that was a miracle, in which an Aztec miraculously painted an icon of the Theotokos with many features only seen in Eastern Orthodox icons, such as a mandorla, and that icon led to the mass-abandonment of the horrific Mesoamerican human sacrifice religions such as those of the Mexica and Maya peoples.