New document about ‘Co-redemptrix’ opens hornets’ nest in Church

This week’s announcement by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that we should not use “Co-redemptrix” as a title of the Virgin Mary has left observers with several questions, among them: “Why this?” and “Why now?”
The Vatican announced a while ago that a statement on Marian titles would be forthcoming, and not a few observers expected the news to be that the “Co-redemptrix” title was going to get an affirmative nod.
The title had been used by several previous popes, including Pope St. John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI expressed serious reservations about the title and refused requests to define it, while Pope Francis objected to the use of it.
The main objection was to the fact that some supporters of the Marian title seemed to almost deify Mary, and detracted from the unique role that Jesus Christ – who is both God and Man – played in our salvation.
“Marian devotion, which Mary’s motherhood engenders, is presented here as a treasure of the Church,” said the head of the …