Ask a Question - or - Return to the Faith and Spirituality Forum Index

Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Would Co-operatrix be a reasonable alternative	Tom	Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Question: Dear Brother Ignatious: I sincerely hope that you are feeling well and that our Lord bless you in your work for the Kingdom. For the past number of years I have been struggling (sp?) with the title of Our Lady as "Co-Redemptrix", in a nut shell my question is, wouldn't Co-operatrix rather than Co-redemptrix be a more accurate title? It seems to me that that speaks more directly to Our Lady's role in God's plan for redemtion of the Human race and avoids any misunderstanding that may result in the use of the terminology of Co-Redemptrix I would really appreciate your feed back, because I really respect your opinion and theology, that and plus the fact that I do not have as extencive back ground in theology. Thank you for your time and all the hard work you do Peace Tom F.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+ Dear Tom: There is no real problem with the term "Co-Redemptrix" if one understands what that term means. The term does NOT mean that Mary is the redeemer or somehow equal to the Redeemer who is Jesus Christ. Rather Mary was a "cooperator" in the Redemption. that is why "co" is the prefix. Mary's fiat, her cooperation with God to allow herself to be the Ark of the New Covenant, the mother of God, the mother of the Redeemer, is what brought the Redeemer into the world. We often get confused by the prefix "co". In the English language today "co-something" often refers to one who is equal such as "co-worker", or one to has the ability to perform the same task such as in co-pilot. "Co" used in these ways is not how "co" is used in reference to the Marian doctrines, or proposed doctrines. Mary is not a co-worker equal to God, or a co-pilot with the power of God to redeem, but a "cooperator" with God to facilitate bringing into the world the One who does have the power to Redeem. This teaching, if it becomes dogma, will more closely identify Mary with the salvation economy of God; that salvation is through Mary to Jesus. The Church already has taught this, but has not formally defined this doctrine. This is something to keep in mind that Mary has not be formally declared Co-Redemptrix. This title has been proposed, but not formally defined. If the Church does make an infallible declaration on this, she will fully define exactly what it means. Here are some articles that refers to the movement to ask the Holy Father to declare Mary "Co-Redemptrix" that includes some quotes from Popes that speak of this teaching and other theological explanations: Mary as Co-Redemptrix An Explanation of the Coredemptrix of Mary Title Titles: Co-Redemptrix God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Would Co-operatrix be a reasonable alternative

Tom

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Question:

Dear Brother Ignatious:
I sincerely hope that you are feeling well and that our Lord bless you in your work for the Kingdom.

For the past number of years I have been struggling (sp?) with the title of Our Lady as "Co-Redemptrix", in a nut shell my question is, wouldn't Co-operatrix rather than Co-redemptrix be a more accurate title? It seems to me that that speaks more directly to Our Lady's role in God's plan for redemtion of the Human race and avoids any misunderstanding that may result in the use of the terminology of Co-Redemptrix I would really appreciate your feed back, because I really respect your opinion and theology, that and plus the fact that I do not have as extencive back ground in theology.

Thank you for your time and all the hard work you do

Peace
Tom F.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Dear Tom:

There is no real problem with the term "Co-Redemptrix" if one understands what that term means. The term does NOT mean that Mary is the redeemer or somehow equal to the Redeemer who is Jesus Christ. Rather Mary was a "cooperator" in the Redemption. that is why "co" is the prefix.

Mary's fiat, her cooperation with God to allow herself to be the Ark of the New Covenant, the mother of God, the mother of the Redeemer, is what brought the Redeemer into the world.

We often get confused by the prefix "co". In the English language today "co-something" often refers to one who is equal such as "co-worker", or one to has the ability to perform the same task such as in co-pilot. "Co" used in these ways is not how "co" is used in reference to the Marian doctrines, or proposed doctrines.

Mary is not a co-worker equal to God, or a co-pilot with the power of God to redeem, but a "cooperator" with God to facilitate bringing into the world the One who does have the power to Redeem.

This teaching, if it becomes dogma, will more closely identify Mary with the salvation economy of God; that salvation is through Mary to Jesus. The Church already has taught this, but has not formally defined this doctrine.

This is something to keep in mind that Mary has not be formally declared Co-Redemptrix. This title has been proposed, but not formally defined.

If the Church does make an infallible declaration on this, she will fully define exactly what it means.

Here are some articles that refers to the movement to ask the Holy Father to declare Mary "Co-Redemptrix" that includes some quotes from Popes that speak of this teaching and other theological explanations:

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum