Catholic News Agency, Dec 15
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) issued the doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis on Nov. 4. It was approved by Pope Leo XIV and signed by DDF Prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández on Oct. 7.
According to the document, using “Co-Redemptrix” to explain Mary’s role in salvation “would not be appropriate.” The document is less harsh about using “Mediatrix” and says “if misunderstood, it could easily obscure or even contradict” Mary’s role in mediation.
The document affirms Mary plays a role in both redemption and mediation because she freely cooperates with Jesus Christ. That role, it explains, is always “subordinate” to Christ, and it warned against using titles in a way that could be misconstrued to mitigate Christ as the sole Redeemer and sole Mediator.
Catholic reactions have been mixed, with some seeing the clarification as helpful and others defending the titles as consistent with the understanding of Mary’s role as subordinate and asking the Vatican to formally define the doctrines themselves rather than simply issue a note on the titles.
Positive reactions from Protestants
CNA spoke with three Protestant scholars, all of whom welcomed the Vatican’s doctrinal note on titles for Mary.
David Luy, theology professor at the North American Lutheran Seminary, told CNA he does not see the document as “Roman Catholics conceding anything to their tradition” but did see it as being written “with an attentiveness” toward certain concerns that Protestants raise.
Although Protestant communities vary widely on how they view Mary and what titles are proper, he said concern over the titles in question “sprouts from a desire to uphold the distinctiveness of Christ as the one mediator.”
Luy cited the second chapter of First Timothy. The translation of the text approved by the U.S. Catholic bishops states: “For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all.”
He said Protestants often emphasize the need to “uphold the distinctive mediatorship of Christ” and saw the document as expressing a “sensibility to that central Protestant concern” while also being careful “in the way it develops Mary’s role in the economy of salvation.”
“Does it relieve potential strain between Protestants and Catholics? The short answer would be yes,” Luy said.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) issued the doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis on Nov. 4. It was approved by Pope Leo XIV and signed by DDF Prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández on Oct. 7.
Peace to all,
To me, rationally, faithfully, Logically understanding the Christ is through two natures, from the spirit through the life becoming One Christ Body for all mankind becoming again in all Oen Family, OMNiLiogicalGod.
Mary’s role in mediation is Co Redemptive through The NEw Eve for all becoming into the Catholic Church Baptized from death for resurrection becoming again in all One Family, I believe.
Mary’s role is through the New Eve Baptized for all becoming into the Catholic Church, I believe.
The Christ is two natures through the Immaculate Conception from The Power of The Holy Spirit Family in One Christ Body for all becoming again in all creation One Holy Spirit Family One God in being, OMNiLogically, I believe.
Logically the Christ is through Mary fro Jesus becoming the Christ in all mankind. We become Baptized into the Catholic Church through the New Eve for Jesus in the New Adam from Sacrifice through Penande Through the Christ in all mankind forgiven in all becoming again in all Creation One Holy Spirit Family One God in being.
Peace always,
Stephen