How do we Catholics explain that we don't worship Mary?

[4life4nfp]

My next door neighbor is a very influential Conservative man who happens to be a non-denominational fundamentalist. He shows interest in the Catholic faith but his wife does not like us to talk about it. He sent me an anti-Catholic email that he received and is asking me for my take on this. Please see what he sent below and offer some advice. I know we do not worship Mary but I am not sure about the references to Co-redemptress and similar references.

He would be an excellent Catholic. thanks, Brian

-----Original Message-----
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PUTS MARY ON THE CROSS
(Friday Church News Notes, September 28, 2007, www.wayoflife.org )

In spite of claims of contemporary Catholic propagandists, the Roman Catholic Church worships Mary. She is exalted as the sinless Mother of God who was bodily assumed into Heaven and crowned Queen of the Universe. According to Roman Catholic doctrine, Mary sits on Jesus’ throne and acts as His Co-Mediatrix. In the Church of the Mother of God of Polish Martyrs in Warsaw there is a painting of Mary hanging on the cross holding the child Jesus.

Outside of the main Mary basilica in Rome (Santa Maria Maggiore) there is a large crucifix with Jesus hanging on one side and a crowned Mary hanging on the other. The painting in Warsaw and the crucifix in Rome depict Rome’s dogma that Mary is the co-redemptress with Christ, that she intercedes for men from heaven and aids in their salvation. Note the following quotations from the Vatican II

Council: “As St. Irenaeus says, she being obedient, BECAME THE CAUSE OF SALVATION for herself and for the whole human race. Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert with him in their preaching … ‘death through Eve, LIFE THROUGH MARY.’ This UNION OF THE MOTHER WITH THE SON IN THE WORK OF SALVATION is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 56, pp. 380-381). “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but BY HER MANIFOLD INTERCESSION CONTINUES TO BRING US THE GIFTS OF ETERNAL SALVATION. By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of ADVOCATE, HELPER, BENEFACTRESS, and MEDIATRIX” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 62, pp. 382-383). A plaque in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Grace at Saints Vincent and Anastasius Church in Rome says, “Cardinal Benedetto Odescalchi, who became the pope with the name of Innocent XI, initiated THE WORSHIP OF THE IMAGE, placed on the altar in 1677, and wanted his heart to be buried here, not in the main chapel.” This is only one example of many that could be given of the term “worship” used in regard to Mary in Rome’s churches.

------ End of Forwarded Message

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

First and foremost, Catholics only consider Mary because of who her Son is. If God had not chosen her to be the mother of His Son, Catholics would not single her out at all. But because God did single her out, we do also. This is the crux of the whole matter. It was God who sent the Archangel Gabriel to her with the words, “Hail, full of grace!” (Lk 1:28) Full of grace doesn’t mean having a substantial amount of grace. It means full! This is where we find Scriptural evidence that she was conceived, full of grace.

Such exalted words from God through His messenger expresses the sublime place she was to have in the salvation of the human race. SHE was to be the human channel through which the Savior would come. The Catholic Church did not invent this. This is solely the result of God’s determination.

In the process of our redemption God has had the co-operation of many, including Mary’s parents: Anna and Joachim, her husband Joseph, Elizabeth and Zacharia, John the Baptist and the prophets that preceded him, and the angel-messengers. These, in this sense, could be called co-redeemers so long as we understand what we mean by such a term. Of all of these, no one had a more intimate place in co-operating with the redemption Jesus has achieved for us than Mary. Her role is unique and we acknowledge this. But to suggest that any of the above co-redeemers are equal to the one, perfect Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church considers heresy.

The examples of art and the statements quoted are examples of hyperbole, exaggerations for effect and not meant to be taken literally. If one wants to know what the Catholic Church actually teaches regarding Mary, then one ought to look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church, beginning with #971.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.