Vatican to publish Note on Mary's ‘cooperation in the work of salvation’
Theologians have argued in favor of the term for centuries, and Popes have also used it. Doubt remains about what Cdl Fernández will write though.
VATICAN CITY (PerMariam) — The Vatican’s doctrinal office will soon publish a Note on certain title “referring to Mary’s cooperation in the work of salvation.”
On November 4, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) will publish a doctrinal note regarding, it seems, the topic of Marian Co-Redemption.
A press note from the CDF today read:
Tuesday, November 4, 2025: The presentation of the new document of the Dicastery entitled Mater Populi Fidelis will take place. Doctrinal note on certain Marian titles referring to Mary’s cooperation in the work of salvation.
Presenting the text will be CDF Prefect Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández and a CDF consultor Father Maurizio Gronchi. The CDF’s doctrinal secretary – Father Armando Matteo – will moderate the launch event.
The Note is already sparking much anticipation. Fernández had mentioned earlier this year that he was preparing a text dealing with certain Marian themes, but gave no more specifics.
So far, the formal proclamation of Mary as Co-Redemptrix has not been achieved, despite the great wealth of teaching the Church has on the matter over many centuries, as espoused by great popes and saints. The development of the theological basis for the term dates back to the Church Fathers, and indeed usage of the term itself has become much more frequent following the Middle Ages and thanks to many popes. {For a usefully-sized explanation of Marian Co-Redemption, and replies to common objections against it, readers may find my book useful.}
The word Co-Redemptrix has its origins in the Latin language and is made up of the two words ‘Cum’ and ‘Redimere’. ‘Cum’ translates to ‘with’ in English, denoting one person acting alongside another. Upon consulting any Latin dictionary or other text, one can see that at nopoint does the word ‘Cum’ ever mean ‘equal to’ or ‘interchangeable’, unlike the manner in which a ‘co-pilot’ refers to one who is interchangeable with the pilot. ‘Redimere’ is the verb meaning to ‘buy back, set free by payment’.
When combined with the female ending of the verb, one can get the meaning “she who buys back with”: Co-Redemptrix being a co-operation in Christ’s salvific action, with Mary not equal to Christ, but working with Him.
Pope John Paul II famously used the term often, evidencing his Marian devotion which was well known.
Indeed the Vatican’s offices for liturgy and doctrine have also approved the title. In response to a dubium regarding the weight of the feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, the Congregation of Rites in 1908 declared the wish that, “the devotion of the Sorrowful Mother may increase and the piety of the faithful and their gratitude toward the merciful Co-Redemptrix of the human race may intensify.”
Such usage of the title was at the time a great development in the promulgation of the doctrine of Co-Redemption. Since the reply was issued from the Congregation and recorded in their official acts, it lends the title yet further weight. (The Congregation of Rites was later divided into two current bodies of the Roman Curia: the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints.)
Then in 1913 the Holy Office – the current day CDF – granted a partial indulgence to a prayer of reparation to Our Lady, which ended with the words, “I bless thy holy Name, I praise thine exalted privilege of being truly Mother of God, ever Virgin, conceived without stain of sin, Co-Redemptrix of the human race.”
So great is the wealth of teaching on the topic that earlier this year a Marian theologian urged Leo XIV to formally proclaim that which the Church has known and practiced for centuries – namely that Mary is the Co-Redemptrix.
However, Fernández has a controversial record as Prefect of the CDF for many reasons, including his former sexually explicit writings, his authoring of Fiducia Supplicans, and his highly unsatisfactory document on determining the authenticity of Marian apparitions published in spring 2024.
Especially since that said document refused to rule on the legitimacy of alleged apparitions, but instead sought to distance itself from pronouncing authoritatively, it is quite conceivable that a similar style could be found in Tuesday’s Note.
Why would any faithful Catholic care what the public heretic Fernandez says about ANYTHING? He has excommunicated himself by his words and actions, so he is a heretic and CANNOT be Catholic. If he repented of his ways and renounced his many sins against God, he could be forgiven and return to the Church, but until that day he is neither Catholic nor a priest.
There's nothing this man will write that I will trust.