For over 30 years, some Catholic faithful — including laypeople and clergy — have urged the Church to formally define a new Marian dogma recognizing the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Co-Redemptrix” or “Co-Mediatrix.” These proposed titles would join the four existing Marian dogmas: Mary’s Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Divine Motherhood, and Assumption.
Advocates have long appealed to successive popes to make this definition official, emphasizing Mary’s unique cooperation in the redemptive work of Christ. This week, the Vatican responded once again — and the answer remains no.
As Patrick Madrid shared on The Patrick Madrid Show, “The Church is safeguarding the uniqueness of Jesus as the one mediator between God and man. I fully endorse this decision.” He noted that this clarification may hopefully bring an end to the decades-long debate while strengthening understanding of Mary’s true role in salvation history.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) issued a document titled Mater Populi Fidelis (“Mother of the Faithful”), addressing this proposal. The title itself echoes Revelation 12:17, which describes the “woman clothed with the sun” as “the mother of all who follow Jesus and keep his commandments.” From the earliest days, the Church has drawn from such passages to honor Mary as Mother of the Church and Mother of all Christians.
While affirming Mary’s profound and indispensable participation in Christ’s mission, Mater Populi Fidelis explains that the proposed titles “Co-Redemptrix” or “Co-Mediatrix” would cause confusion about the unique and unrepeatable role of Jesus Christ as Savior. Scripture is explicit on this point: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
The document acknowledges that Mary’s cooperation in redemption is real — through her faith, obedience, and maternal intercession. Yet, it emphasizes that these graces flow entirely from Christ and do not place Mary on an equal level with Him. Defining a new dogma, it warns, could unintentionally blur that truth and mislead the faithful.
It also cautions that introducing new, unofficial Marian titles might distort genuine devotion rather than deepen it. True Marian piety, the Church teaches, should remain rooted in Scripture, the writings of the Fathers, and approved Church tradition — practices such as praying the Rosary, wearing the brown scapular, or making pilgrimages to Marian shrines.
In essence, Mater Populi Fidelis upholds authentic Marian devotion while safeguarding sound Christology. The Church reiterates that honoring Mary always leads believers closer to her Son, never alongside or apart from Him.
Patrick added that bishops, priests, and Catholic communicators should continue emphasizing what Scripture and Tradition say about Mary—without extending beyond what the Church herself teaches. “That’s how we keep Marian devotion authentic,” he said.
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