The Consequences of the Marian Note of Cardinal Fernandez
On November 4, 2025, the doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis was published, with which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sought to clarify the meaning and limits of certain Marian titles referring to Mary's cooperation in the work of salvation. The statement caused dismay and consternation among the faithful, but also among Mariologists, because it represents an objective diminution of the privileges traditionally reserved for Our Lady by the Tradition of the Church. One wonders now what the practical consequences will be.
To navigate the confusion created by the document, a verbal exchange between Diane Montagna and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, was most timely. The Vaticanist published it on November 27 on her Substack page.
Responding to the journalist, Cardinal Fernández explained that the statement contained in no. 22 of the doctrinal note Mater Populi fidelis—according to which “it is always inappropriate” to use the title “Co-redemptrix” to define Mary's cooperation in Christ's work of Redemption—refers exclusively to the official use of the title “Co-redemptrix,” that is, in liturgical texts and documents of the Holy See, but does not extend to private devotion or theological discussions among the faithful.
The central point of the interview concerns the meaning of the expression “always inappropriate” in reference to the title of Co-Redemptrix. Diane Montagna asks whether the term, according to which it is “always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-Redemptrix’ (...) also refers to the past, especially considering that this title has been used by saints, doctors of the Church, and the ordinary magisterium?” The cardinal replies: “No, no, no. It refers to the present moment (...)”. The journalist presses on: “So ‘always’ means ‘from now on’?” The cardinal confirms: “From now on, without a doubt.” The journalist, not satisfied, asks again for clarification on the meaning of the word “always.” Fernández reiterates that it does not refer to the past, but only to the present, limited to official documents.
This important clarification must be noted. In the Doctrinal Note, the adverb “always” does not have the same meaning as it does in common language. Any reasonable person knows that the adverb “always” indicates an uninterrupted period of time, without exceptions, including the past and the future. Divine and natural law, for example, is valid always, at all times, in all places, and in all situations. In the cardinal's response, however, the term “always” is redefined as bound only to the present and, hypothetically, to the future: “from now on.” But if, as the prefect states, ‘always’ means only “from now on,” the consequence is that just as there has been a change from the past to the present, there could be a change from the present to the future. This means that Mater fidelis, while presenting itself as a doctrinal note, bases its reasoning on pastoral measures, subject to conditions of a historical nature. The document's assessment of Marian titles is not absolute and permanent, but momentary and contingent.
The cardinal confirms the provisional nature of the Note with the following words: “This expression ([Co-Redemptrix]) will not be used either in the liturgy, that is, in liturgical texts, or in official documents of the Holy See” but, “if you, together with your group of friends, believe that you understand the true meaning of this expression well, have read the document and see that its positive aspects are also affirmed there, and wish to express this within your prayer group or among friends, you may use the title, but it will not be used officially, that is, neither in liturgical texts nor in official documents.”
The term that is not appropriate to use “either in liturgical texts or in official documents” can be lawfully used in everything outside this limited scope. The prohibition applies only to the “official” sphere. In fact, if a group of faithful “understands the true meaning of the expression” (i.e., Mary's subordinate cooperation with Christ), “has read the document and agrees with its meaning,” then it can freely use the title of Co-Redemptrix.
The conclusion is that the faithful remain free to believe and promote the truth that Mary has always been Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces, working to ensure that these truths are proclaimed as dogma of faith. If the use of the title Co-Redemptrix was not inappropriate in the past, it may not be so tomorrow. The truth of Mary's Co-Redemption, although never proclaimed as dogma, belongs to the doctrinal heritage of the Church. The Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith admits this, limiting its use to the present and to certain circumstances. But, precisely for this reason, this Marian title, while not yet an official dogma of the Church, could become one in the future. And the Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude this possibility, nor can it exclude it.
The dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception dates back to 1854 and that of the Assumption to 1950. From those dates onwards, any Catholic who rejects these truths falls into heresy, but Our Lady has “always” been Immaculate and Assumed. In the same way, we are free not only to believe that Our Lady has always been Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces, but also to work with all our strength to ensure that these truths are proclaimed as dogma of faith as soon as possible, so that every Catholic is obliged to believe forever what is currently considered inappropriate but has always been true.
To the last question posed by the Vatican correspondent: “Did you (i.e., the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) consult any Mariologists for the doctrinal note Mater Populi fidelis?” the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith replied: “Yes, many, many, as well as theologians specializing in Christology.”
However, Father Maurizio Gronchi, consultant to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who presented the document with Cardinal Fernández, told ACI Prensa on November 19 that “it was not possible to find Mariologists willing to collaborate,” noting that neither the members of the Pontifical Marianum Theological Faculty nor those of the Pontifical International Marian Academy participated in the presentation at the Jesuit Curia, a “silence” that, in his opinion, “can be interpreted as dissent.” (https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/119297/es-supersticion-pensar-que-la-virgen-frena-la-ira-de-dios-dice-experto-vaticano-sobre-titulo-de-corredentora).
Indirect confirmation of the existence of this dissent came from a well-known Mariologist, Father Salvatore Maria Perrella, OSM, who stated that Mater Populi Fidelis “should have been prepared by people competent in the subject,” as if to say that the document was drafted by people lacking in Mariological competence and, one might respectfully add, also lacking in the proper use of logic...
But since we now know that the intent of Mater Populi Fidelis is not to impose arbitrary limits on Marian devotion or to deny Mary's participation in Christ's redemptive work, and that the “prohibition” concerns only the official use of the title “Co-Redemptrix” in liturgical texts and in the acts of the Magisterium, without extending to private devotion or theological debates, what better opportunity to enter the arena?
We reiterate what we wrote in the aftermath of the document's publication: "We are convinced that today there is a handful of priests and lay people in the world, noble and courageous in spirit, ready to take up the double-edged sword of Truth to proclaim all of Mary's privileges and cry out at the foot of her throne: ‘Quis ut Virgo?’. Upon them will descend the graces necessary for the struggle in these stormy times. And perhaps, as always happens in history when attempts are made to obscure the light, the document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which seeks to minimize the Blessed Virgin Mary, will unwittingly confirm her immense greatness" (source) (Roberto de Mattei)
