The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has officially released its long-anticipated doctrinal note, Mater Populi Fidelis (“Mother of the Faithful People”), confirming the accuracy of much of the material that circulated earlier this morning through Italian Catholic media.
The full document, signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery, provides the definitive Vatican teaching on certain Marian titles, particularly addressing the term “Co-Redemptrix.”
The document discusses several Marian titles attributed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but its central focus is the title “Co-Redemptrix,” which it firmly rejects. 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.”
Beyond its rejection of the title Co-Redemptrix, the document also considers other Marian titles historically used to express the Blessed Virgin’s participation in salvation. It examines the origins and theological development of designations such as Mediatrix, Advocate, and Mother of the Redeemer, reaffirming that all such expressions must remain clearly subordinate to the unique mediation of Christ.
The Dicastery explains that Mary’s maternal cooperation is “singular and pre-eminent,” yet distinct from the redemptive act accomplished by her Son alone. Her role, the note says, is to “lead the faithful to Christ” rather than to “share directly in His saving action.”
Another section recalls how theological investigation into Mary’s cooperation deepened in the first half of the twentieth century. It notes that some popes and theologians used the title Co-Redemptrix in differing senses — some to stress her presence at the foot of the Cross, others to acknowledge her consent at the Annunciation. The text outlines three main theological interpretations: one viewing Mary’s cooperation as immediate and direct; another as indirect, limited to her “yes” to the Incarnation; and a third as receptive, in which she represents the Church accepting the fruits of Redemption. The Dicastery concludes that such diversity of views has often blurred the theological boundaries between the Redeemer and the redeemed.
In substance, Mater Populi Fidelis confirms everything suggested by the leak, rejecting a new Marian dogma while reaffirming Mary’s indispensable but subordinate place in salvation.
What was first seen unofficially online has now been formally promulgated from Rome.
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