The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will issue a new doctrinal note, Mater Populi Fidelis (“Mother of the Faithful People”), today. However, major portions have already appeared online through Italian Catholic sites such as MessaInLatino.it and Non Silere Possum.
The draft document addresses several Marian titles attributed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but its central focus concerns the title “Co-Redemptrix.” The note firmly rejects the use of the term. Section 22 states in full: “Given the need to explain Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-Redemptrix’ to describe Mary’s role. This title risks obscuring the unique salvific mediation of Christ and can therefore generate confusion and imbalance in the harmony of the truths of the Christian faith. … When an expression requires numerous and continuous explanations to prevent it from straying from its correct meaning, it does not serve the faith of the People of God and becomes inappropriate.”
