Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The recent document Mater populi fidelis, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), addresses whether it is appropriate to use certain titles for Mary, including "Mediatrix." The document clarifies that Marian titles are not just honorifics but express significant doctrinal beliefs in a way that is accessible to many.

For centuries, Mary has been called "Mother of God," a title that affirms core Christian beliefs about Jesus Christ being both fully divine and fully human. This title encapsulates complex theological concepts such as the Hypostatic Union.

The Church exercises caution in endorsing Marian titles because they can have implications for how doctrine is understood. For example, the title "co-Redemptrix" has been used to highlight Mary's role as “the first and foremost collaborator in the work of Redemption.” However, this title may give the impression that Christ is not the sole redeemer or that Mary's role is equal to Christ's in salvation. According to Mater populi fidelis n.22: “When an expression requires many, repeated explanations to prevent it from straying from a correct meaning, it does not serve the faith of the People of God and becomes unhelpful.”

Similarly, calling Mary "Mediatrix of All Graces" can be misleading. The document notes: “The title risks presenting Mary as the one who distributes spiritual goods or energies apart from our personal relationship with Jesus Christ” (Mater populi fidelis n.68). It also suggests she might not have received grace herself but instead enacted her own redemption (n.67). These interpretations are not what proponents intend but could cause confusion; therefore, it is recommended to avoid such titles.

Despite these cautions regarding specific titles, Mater populi fidelis emphasizes Mary's ongoing importance within Catholic teaching: “Mary is the most perfect expression of Christ’s action that transforms our humanity. She is the feminine manifestation of all that Christ’s grace can accomplish in a human being” (ibid. n. 1).

The document concludes by stressing that avoiding certain titles does not diminish Mary's role as an example for Christians or her place within Church teaching.