The Vatican has ruled that Catholics should no longer refer to the Virgin Mary as “Co-Redemptrix” or “Mediatrix,” declaring the titles theologically misleading and inconsistent with Church doctrine.
The decree, approved by Pope Leo, clarified that while Mary’s role in salvation history is revered, she remains subordinate to Christ, who alone is humanity’s Redeemer.
“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’,” the document stated. “This title risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can create confusion within the faith.”
For centuries, Catholics have invoked Mary’s intercession through the Rosary, honouring her as the mother of Jesus and a spiritual advocate. However, the Vatican reaffirmed that neither Mary nor the Church can supplement or replace Christ’s redemptive work.
Addressing the title “Mediatrix,” the decree noted that while Mary’s maternal role in bringing Christ into the world gives her a special place in salvation history, her mediation remains “clearly subordinate.”
The document added that this clarification aligns with long-held Church teaching and echoed previous comments by Pope Francis, who dismissed the idea of calling Mary a “co-redeemer” as “foolishness.”
“Christ is the only Mediator,” Francis said in 2021. “Each prayer we raise to God is through Christ, with Christ and in Christ.”
