The Vatican released this November 4 a document on the titles that are used for Mary, Mother of Jesus. It is titled: The Mother of the Faithful People of God.
The document "responds to numerous requests and proposals that have reached the Holy See in recent decades," it says.
It explains:
The main problem in interpreting those titles as applied to the Virgin Mary is how one should understand her association with Christ’s work of Redemption — that is, “what is the meaning of Mary’s unique cooperation in the plan of salvation?”
The present document, without intending to be comprehensive or exhaustive, seeks to maintain the necessary balance that must be established within the Christian mysteries between Christ’s sole mediation and Mary’s cooperation in the work of salvation, and it seeks to show how this is expressed in various Marian titles.
The document goes on to explain how the title "co-redemptrix" is problematic. And it warns against a false understanding of the term "mediatrix of all graces."
The document is divided into 80 brief, accessible sections and can be read in full here.
It was signed by the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and the Secretary for the Dicastery’s Doctrinal Section, Monsignor Armando Matteo. The Note was approved by Pope Leo XIV on October 7, feast of the Holy Rosary.
Article is updated below:
The Note draws heavily from the Church Fathers, various saints and recent popes, and especially Scripture.
No to "Co-Redemptrix"
Calling on teaching especially of Joseph Ratzinger (the future Benedict XVI), the Note concludes:
Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it would not be appropriate to use the title “Co-redemptrix” to define Mary’s cooperation. This title risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can therefore create confusion and an imbalance in the harmony of the truths of the Christian faith
"Mediatrix" with prudence
The Note insists that titles for Mary cannot cause confusion with regard to Christ's unique role. Scripture is very clear that "the Incarnate Word’s role is exclusive and unique."
Thus the Vatican says:
"Given this clarity in the revealed Word of God, special prudence is required when applying the term “Mediatrix” to Mary. In response to a tendency to broaden the scope of Mary’s cooperation through this title, it is helpful to specify the range of its value as well as its limits.
