Only Christ redeems, Mary’s role ‘supportive, not equal’ – Vatican declares

A new Vatican decree approved by Pope Leo has revised several titles traditionally used by Catholics to describe Mary, the mother of Jesus, ruling that terms such as “co-redemptrix” and “mediatrix” should no longer be used to define her role.

For generations, Catholics have prayed to Mary using the Rosary, seeking her intercession with God and honouring her for giving birth to Christ.

However, the Vatican clarified in the new directive issued on Tuesday that Mary played only a subordinate role in the work of salvation.

“Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-redemptrix’ to define Mary’s cooperation,” the decree stated.

According to the document, the title “risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation” and could “create confusion and imbalance in the harmony of Christian truths.”

It added that neither the Church nor Mary can replace or perfect the redemptive work accomplished solely by Jesus Christ.

On the title “mediatrix,” the Vatican reiterated that the Bible affirms Christ as the only mediator between God and humanity.”

“While acknowledging Mary’s significant role in the birth of Christ, it emphasized that her contribution was “clearly subordinate.”

The Vatican noted that these clarifications are consistent with long-standing Church teachings and reminded Catholics that the late Pope Francis had publicly rejected both titles on multiple occasions.

“Christ is the Mediator, the bridge that we cross to turn to the Father.”

“He is the only Redeemer: there are no co-redeemers with Christ,” Pope Francis said in 2021, describing the notion of calling Mary “co-redeemer” as “foolishness.”

He further stated that “each prayer we raise to God is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ,” reaffirming the Church’s stance that Jesus alone holds the divine role of Redeemer.

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