According to lay members, trust, respect and prayerful intercession of Mother Mary is an integral part of Catholic faith and piety.
The Vatican’s doctrinal office has caused confusion among some Catholic believers by releasing a statement that the title “co-redeemer” is not an “appropriate” description of the Virgin Mary. The doctrinal authority, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), argued that the term was “unhelpful”. In a recent document, the DDF said that when the term “requires frequent explanation to preserve the correct meaning,” it can lead to a misunderstanding of Mary’s unique participation in the salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ. The announcement left some lay members unsure about the use of the traditional name.
According to lay members, trust, respect and prayerful intercession of Mother Mary is an integral part of Catholic faith and piety. Unverified and incorrectly worded reports of the papal directive confused some lay members, who took the Vatican’s announcement as a denial of Marian veneration in Catholic spirituality.
“The Vatican’s announcement has raised serious concerns about the role of Mother Mary in our faith. Many churches and individuals worship Mother Mary, which the Vatican seems to want to avoid in the future,” said one lay member.
Exercise to continue
Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) official spokesperson Fr. Thomas Tharayil told The Hindu that the Church has never officially given the titles of “co-redeemer” (Saharakshaka) or “Mother of all grace” (Krupavarathinte Amma) to Mother Mary. “Some priests and religious have used these titles indiscreetly to describe Mother Mary. The Vatican has now formally stated that such terms will not be used in the future. There is no need for confusion among laity or priests regarding the worship of Mother Mary. The Rosary and other devotional practices will continue as usual. Mother Mary is an integral part of the faith and practice of the Catholic Church.” all Grace” in the future,” said Fr. Tharayil.
Fr. Jose Vallikkatt, a Bathinda-based Catholic priest, said people should put less emphasis on theological concerns such as Marian titles and focus on the real character of the church, which represents inclusiveness. Excessive anxiety about these titles is only the concern of those who are concerned with folk piety or those who see Mary as a means of commercial gain,” noted P. Vallikkatt.
Circular to read today
In a circular issued by the Syro-Malabar Church, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil said there was no need to confuse lay members. “The exclusion of Mother Mary, the co-redemptrix, is not a new directive from the Vatican and is only a clarification. The description of Mother Mary as a ‘co-redemptrix’ means that the salvation of Jesus Christ is incomplete, implying that without her help Jesus cannot achieve salvation. The description also creates confusion about the salvation for Mother Mary achieved by Mother Mary from Viratic. such doubts,” the circular said.
The Chief Archbishop also ordered the circular to be read during the Holy Mass on Sunday (November 9) in all churches under the Syro Malabar Church.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 19:43 IST
