Vatican guidance discouraging Marian title ‘Co-Redemptrix’ sparks Catholic debate

[Michie]

While the Vatican issued new guidancethat encourages limits on the use of certain Marian titles out of a concern that they may overstate the Blessed Mother’s role in redemption and mediation, the intra-Catholic debate on the subject has continued.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), issued a doctrinal note with the formal approval of Pope Leo XIV that reaffirms Mary’s “unique cooperation” in God’s plan for salvation but expresses worry about two titles sometimes employed to communicate her role: Mary as Co-Redemptrix/Co-Redeemer and Mary as Mediatrix/Mediator.

According to the doctrinal note, using the title “Co-Redemptrix” to explain Mary’s role “would not be appropriate.” The document’s language for the title “Mediatrix” was less harsh but says “if misunderstood, it could easily obscure or even contradict” Mary’s role in mediation.

The beginning of the document lays out a biblical foundation of Mary’s cooperation in salvation, beginning with her “yes” to the archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation through to her presence at the Passion and standing before Jesus Christ at the foot of the cross.


Continued below.

Vatican guidance discouraging Marian title ‘Co-Redemptrix’ sparks debate

Intra-Catholic debate on the use of certain Marian titles has continued after the Vatican issued guidance encouraging limits on their use.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

While the Vatican issued new guidancethat encourages limits on the use of certain Marian titles out of a concern that they may overstate the Blessed Mother’s role in redemption and mediation, the intra-Catholic debate on the subject has continued.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), issued a doctrinal note with the formal approval of Pope Leo XIV that reaffirms Mary’s “unique cooperation” in God’s plan for salvation but expresses worry about two titles sometimes employed to communicate her role: Mary as Co-Redemptrix/Co-Redeemer and Mary as Mediatrix/Mediator.

According to the doctrinal note, using the title “Co-Redemptrix” to explain Mary’s role “would not be appropriate.” The document’s language for the title “Mediatrix” was less harsh but says “if misunderstood, it could easily obscure or even contradict” Mary’s role in mediation.

The beginning of the document lays out a biblical foundation of Mary’s cooperation in salvation, beginning with her “yes” to the archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation through to her presence at the Passion and standing before Jesus Christ at the foot of the cross.


Continued below.

Vatican guidance discouraging Marian title ‘Co-Redemptrix’ sparks debate

Intra-Catholic debate on the use of certain Marian titles has continued after the Vatican issued guidance encouraging limits on their use.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

This was more of a fringe thing most of us didn’t even know about, or seldom even thought about. But now, in forbidding a term, they have managed to introduce it widely. Backfire. A third rate theologian with a checkered past clumsily promotes what he wants to forbid.