The Sole Mediator between God and Man

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Let us assume your supposition is correct. Are you sure the adjective “rightly” is proper here? I mean, are you sure the Pope should be concerned about what Christians in material heresy (sorry, I mean “not in full communion”) will or will not understand when speaking about matters regarding the Church?
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The mission of The Church is to bring people to Jesus Christ, This problematic language does the opposite. It will be a very good day for the unity of all Christians when these mistitles which cause confusion are suppressed. Let us all pray through the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos that this will be soon.
 
“There is but one Mediator as we know from the words of the apostle, “for there is one God and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a redemption for all”.(298) The maternal duty of Mary toward men in no wise obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows His power. For all the salvific influence of the Blessed Virgin on men originates, not from some inner necessity, but from the divine pleasure. It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on His mediation, depends entirely on it and draws all its power from it. In no way does it impede, but rather does it foster the immediate union of the faithful with Christ.”

–Second Vatican Council- Lumen Gentium
 
The mission of The Church is to bring people to Jesus Christ, This problematic language does the opposite. It will be a very good day for the unity of all Christians when these mistitles which cause confusion are suppressed. Let us all pray through the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos that this will be soon.
That is a great point indeed. Which is why we barely hear the word heretic or schismatic anymore, or even excommunicated, or devil (at least not outside of cheap movies).

However, who defines when a title is a mis-title, and based on what? Who decides when language is truly problematic? Surely we don’t want to add confusion, but at the same time neither can we afford to adapt, change, fix, diminish and patch our language, tradition, and liturgy based on the taste of non-Catholics 🤷

Let’s hope. But I don’t expect things to get any better.
 
I have “asked an Apologist” and got no reply. My question is: if Christ is the Sole Mediator between God and Man (1 Tim. 2: 5), why do many Catholics regard Mary as a “Mediatrix” or “Redemptrix”?

I am a faithful and loyal Catholic, but I am having a hard time with this. I get the difference between mediator and intercessor, but I’m got a BIG issue with this. Can someone (peferably clergy) clear this up for me? I need an answer.
Primary - Mediator
  1. Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself as a ransom.
  2. Christ continues his work of mediation, no longer to merit the grace of human forgiveness, but to communicate the grace already won on the Cross.
Secondary - Mediatrix
  1. Certain: Mary freely co-operated with God in consenting to the Incarnation.
  2. Only Probable: The graces merited by Christ are conferred through the actual intercessory mediation of Mary.
Mediator
therealpresence.org/cgi-bin/getdefinition.pl

Mediatrix
therealpresence.org/cgi-bin/getdefinition.pl
 
The mission of The Church is to bring people to Jesus Christ, This problematic language does the opposite. It will be a very good day for the unity of all Christians when these mistitles which cause confusion are suppressed. Let us all pray through the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos that this will be soon.
+1
 
Mediatrix
Since the Magisterium of The Catholic Church finds these titles problematic, I’ll just go with The Church, and pray that, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother; the faithful will also defer to the Authority of The Church.
 
Since the Magisterium of The Catholic Church finds these titles problematic, I’ll just go with The Church, and pray that, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother; the faithful will also defer to the Authority of The Church.
I fail to see where the Magisterium affirms that these titles are problematic.

Are you referring to the personal opinion of a cardinal? That is not the Authority of the Church. Furthermore, the same cardinal wrote in 1966 that such titles were “under the protection of papal teaching”. Here: papal teaching; this indeed is the Authority of the Church.

In particular the title Mediatrix is official and thus beyond legitimate questioning: among many places, it is found in the Catechism, CCC 969 to be precise, and we also find it in this General Audience, Pope John Paul II explains that this title, though some didn’t fully agree with, “was nevertheless inserted into the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church”; in fact, even in 1864 Pope Leo XII in his encyclical Iucunda Semper Expectatione clearly teaches:
The recourse we have to Mary in prayer follows upon the office she continuously fills by the side of the throne of God as Mediatrix of Divine grace; being by worthiness and by merit most acceptable to Him, and, therefore, surpassing in power all the angels and saints in Heaven.
I say thus it is beyond any legitimate question because, as Pope Pius XII wrote :
if the Supreme Pontiffs in their acts, after due consideration, express an opinion on a hitherto controversial matter, it is clear to all that this matter, according to the mind and will of the same Pontiffs, cannot any longer be considered a question of free discussion among theologians.
But even further, we could mention the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Church Father, at the Council of Ephesus (AD 431):
Hail Mary Theotokos …] it is through you that the Holy Trinity is glorified and adored, through you, the precious cross is venerated and adored throughout the whole world, through you that heaven is in gladness, that angels and archangels rejoice, that demons are put to flight, through you that the tempter, the devil is cast down from heaven, through you that the fallen creature is raised up to heaven, through you that all creation, once imprisoned in idolatry, has reached knowledge of the truth, that the faithful obtain baptism and the oil of joy, churches have been founded in the whole world, that peoples are led to conversion.
Are these teachings of a Church Father also to be suppressed?

I also pray that the faithful will defer to the Authority of the Magisterium, but also that they may discern carefully which teachings are protected by its infallibility and which are mere opinions. The former are very well defined throughout the centuries, and, of course, cannot be contradicted: only better understood.
 
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R_C:
But even further, we could mention the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Church Father, at the Council of Ephesus (AD 431):

Are these teachings of a Church Father also to be suppressed?
CYRIL was just acknowledging Mary as the Mother of our Lord …with rather flowery language…nothing more.
 
CYRIL was just acknowledging Mary as the Mother of our Lord …with rather flowery language…nothing more.
Actually to me, the quote shows the bond of Mary and the Holy Trinity and how we recieve all things through Her.
 
Actually to me, the quote shows the bond of Mary and the Holy Trinity and how we recieve all things through Her.
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Please brothers & sisters …is it not enough to appreciate Mary as our Spiritual Mom & thank her ever day FOR BEARING OUR SAVIOR JESUS, THE CHRIST ?

Why must we go overboard and give more honor to the Queen Mother than to the REAL SUPERSTAR, EMANUEL ?
Recall Emanuel means ‘God with US’ !! We are IN CHRISTOS, Christ in US, …when we worship, love, and serve THE CREATOR, …not the creature, (the created one).

We don’t need to access Jesus thru Mary … we Already HAVE the Son within !!! Think about this, meditate upon the words of The Apostle John …who taught us to pray to THE SON … not to our mom !!! John ( of all the Apostles ) was most appreciative of Mary, at direction of Christ, yet EVEN JOHN knew better than to make Mary the superstar of our spiritual attentions/ devotions !!!

Am I Wrong ?
 
Please brothers & sisters …is it not enough to appreciate Mary as our Spiritual Mom & thank her ever day FOR BEARING OUR SAVIOR JESUS, THE CHRIST ?

Why must we go overboard and give more honor to the Queen Mother than to the REAL SUPERSTAR, EMANUEL ?
Recall Emanuel means ‘God with US’ !! We are IN CHRISTOS, Christ in US, …when we worship, love, and serve THE CREATOR, …not the creature, (the created one).

We don’t need to access Jesus thru Mary … we Already HAVE the Son within !!! Think about this, meditate upon the words of The Apostle John …who taught us to pray to THE SON … not to our mom !!! John ( of all the Apostles ) was most appreciative of Mary, at direction of Christ, yet EVEN JOHN knew better than to make Mary the superstar of our spiritual attentions/ devotions !!!

Am I Wrong ?
Mary is a completely Christ centered person. She lives only for Christ in Christ.
Anything givin to Her is given to Christ.
All Marian prayer is Christocentric.
It is God who has placed Her inbetween us and Him.

She remained hidden, known only to God. Now she must be openly revealed so that Christ may be loved and served through Her.

She who first gave Him to the world then will establish His kingdom in the world.
 
It is God who has placed Her inbetween us and Him.

She remained hidden, known only to God. Now she must be openly revealed so that Christ may be loved and served through Her.

She who first gave Him to the world then will establish His kingdom in the world.
Am I reading u right !! Are u saying what I think u are ?

Namely, that it is MARY … who will establish the Kingdom of God ?

Does the Pope advocate what you are suggesting ? Did the Apostles, Peter ? To whom Christ gave the Keys !!!
 
Am I reading u right !! Are u saying what I think u are ?

Namely, that it is MARY … who will establish the Kingdom of God ?

Does the Pope advocate what you are suggesting ? Did the Apostles, Peter ? To whom Christ gave the Keys !!!
Where ever Christ reigns as King Mary is Queen.

She will establish the reign of Her Son.in the world. It was through Mary that the salvation of the World began and it is through Her that it will be accomplished.

When Christ comes in glory it will be through Mary. God does not change. It is through Her reign as Queen that Christ will reign as King in the hearts of men.

Her whole mission, the whole reason she exists is for God alone.

She was necessary in the Incarnation, we partake in that mystery, she is then necessary to us all. Paul VI wrote in MARIALIS CULTUS
The ancient Fathers rightly taught that the Church prolongs in the sacrament of Baptism the virginal motherhood of Mary
vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus_en.html
 
Where ever Christ reigns as King Mary is Queen.

She will establish the reign of Her Son.in the world. It was through Mary that the salvation of the World began and it is through Her that it will be accomplished.

When Christ comes in glory it will be through Mary. God does not change. It is through Her reign as Queen that Christ will reign as King in the hearts of men.

Her whole mission, the whole reason she exists is for God alone.

She was necessary in the Incarnation, we partake in that mystery, she is then necessary to us all. Paul VI wrote in MARIALIS CULTUS

vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus_en.html
Wow …is this what the RCC TEACHES AS DOGMA ?

No wonder Protestants are often so Incredulous over Marian beliefs !!!
 
No wonder Protestants are often so Incredulous over Marian beliefs !!!
It doesn’t really matter, right? Protestants are “incredulous” about the whole Sacred Tradition on matters far, far more critical for salvation than these titles of Our Lady.
 
I fail to see where the Magisterium affirms that these titles are problematic.
See the discussion by The Holy See posted by Miriam1947:
The Pope on Co-redemptrix 
when asked, in a 2000 interview by Peter Seewald

He says that the title Co-redemptrix “departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings” (53). He also says that “for matters of faith, continuity of terminology with the language of Scripture and that of the Fathers is itself an essential element; it is improper simply to manipulate language” (54). “

From Mark Shea’s blog:
It’s not an “official title.” It’s just an expression of piety among some Catholics. At present, the Church doesn’t condemn the title, but it doesn’t encourage it either. A few years ago, Pope Benedict XVI (then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) was asked about the many petitions Rome has received He replied: “I do not think there will be any compliance with this demand. The response of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is, broadly, that what is signified by this is already better expressed in other titles of Mary, while the formula “Co-redemptrix” departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings. … A correct intention is being expressed in the wrong way.

Read more: ncregister.com/blog/jittery-about-mary/#ixzz1djmLpVYa
 
See the discussion by The Holy See posted by Miriam1947:
The Pope on Co-redemptrix 
when asked, in a 2000 interview by Peter Seewald

He says that the title Co-redemptrix “departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings” (53). He also says that “for matters of faith, continuity of terminology with the language of Scripture and that of the Fathers is itself an essential element; it is improper simply to manipulate language” (54). “

From Mark Shea’s blog:
It’s not an “official title.” It’s just an expression of piety among some Catholics. At present, the Church doesn’t condemn the title, but it doesn’t encourage it either. A few years ago, Pope Benedict XVI (then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) was asked about the many petitions Rome has received He replied: “I do not think there will be any compliance with this demand. The response of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is, broadly, that what is signified by this is already better expressed in other titles of Mary, while the formula “Co-redemptrix” departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings. … A correct intention is being expressed in the wrong way.

Read more: ncregister.com/blog/jittery-about-mary/#ixzz1djmLpVYa
I’ll just go with The Pope, and lets all pray pray that, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, others will also see the wisdom of The Holy See and defer to the Authority of The Church.
 
See the discussion by The Holy See posted by Miriam1947:
The Pope on Co-redemptrix 
when asked, in a 2000 interview by Peter Seewald

He says that the title Co-redemptrix “departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings” (53). He also says that “for matters of faith, continuity of terminology with the language of Scripture and that of the Fathers is itself an essential element; it is improper simply to manipulate language” (54). “

From Mark Shea’s blog:
It’s not an “official title.” It’s just an expression of piety among some Catholics. At present, the Church doesn’t condemn the title, but it doesn’t encourage it either. A few years ago, Pope Benedict XVI (then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) was asked about the many petitions Rome has received He replied: “I do not think there will be any compliance with this demand. The response of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is, broadly, that what is signified by this is already better expressed in other titles of Mary, while the formula “Co-redemptrix” departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings. … A correct intention is being expressed in the wrong way.

Read more: ncregister.com/blog/jittery-about-mary/#ixzz1djmLpVYa
God Bless Benedict ! On rare occasion one Pope has to overturn an earlier Popes mistake.
 
The Pope on Co-redemptrix 
when asked, in a 2000 interview by Peter Seewald
I’ll just go with The Pope
Ok, in the year 2000 Cardinal Ratzinger was not the sovereign Pontiff. As such, he gave his personal opinion, period. And as I mentioned, already in 1966 he had written the following in “Theological highlights of Vatican II”, p. 143:
…] we must remember how accepted such titles as mediatrix and co-redemptrix had already become in theology. Such titles were under the protection of papal teaching …]
As you can see, I also go with the Pope, or I should say the Popes.

Sure, as a Prefect for the Sacred Congregation he replied that he personally did not think there would be an official declaration of Mary as “co-redemptrix” and yet he did affirm that “that what is signified by this is already expressed in other titles”.

In short: his opinion before being the sovereign Pontiff has been: “co-redemptrix gives rise to misunderstandings, yet it is under the shield of papal teaching, and its meaning is already expressed in other titles”.
 
I can accept her role in our salvation insofar as her role in bringing Christ Jesus to us so HE could save us… Still trying…
So you see Mary as “mediating” Christ Jesus to us but you have a problem with the term “mediatrix”? Maybe we should review the term “mediate”:
**1. ** To resolve or settle (differences) by working with all the conflicting parties: mediate a labor-management dispute.
**2. ** To bring about (a settlement, for example) by working with all the conflicting parties.
**3. ** To effect or convey as an intermediate agent or mechanism.
*v.**intr.***1. ** To intervene between two or more disputants in order to bring about an agreement, a settlement, or a compromise.
**2. ** To settle or reconcile differences.
3. To have a relation to two differing persons or things.

adj. (-http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ibreve.gift)**1. ** Acting through, involving, or dependent on an intervening agency.
**2. ** **Being in a middle position.

I underlined three of the definitions above - do you see how they apply to Mary? She “effected or conveyed” salvation when she agreed to “Let it be done…according to your word.” She has “a relation to two differing persons or things” since she is both in the world and contained the Word, and she was definitely in a “middle position” between God and mankind. So the term mediator might seem to be the term we’re looking for, but the term mediatrix simply means a woman who is a mediator.
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