While speaking at the Cathedral of Saint Bavo in the Netherlands this past weekend, Cardinal Raymond Burke appeared to defend the Marian title “Co-Redemptrix” according to a report from Michael Haynes, a Vatican correspondent from The Catholic Herald.
The title became a source of controversy after the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document entitled Mater Populi Fidelis in November 2025 that discouraged use of the title.
Haynes shared a clip of Cardinal Burke speaking on X: “The Blessed Virgin Mary is Co-Redemptrix, that is, she participates in Our Lord’s saving work, in a unique way.”
“We are, in virtue of Baptism and Confirmation, co-redeemers, that is, we participate in Our Lord’s saving work by sanctifying the portion of His vineyard, which He has entrusted to our care,” he continued.
“Our Lady is Co-Redemptrix in this unique way by being the first tabernacle in which God the Son came to dwell on this earth by consenting to conceive in her womb by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit God the Son.”
Mater Populi Fidelis explains how the title Co-Redemptrix first appeared in the 1400s, but puts forth that there has been confusion in the way the term has been used. “The precise meaning of these titles is not clear, and the doctrine contained in them is not mature,” the document states and mentions that Pope Francis argued against use of the title.
“Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-redemptrix’ to define Mary’s cooperation,” the document continues.
BREAKING: Cardinal Burke has defended the title of Mary as Co-Redemptrix
— Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 (@MLJHaynes) September 7, 2026
Full details on @CatholicHerald
“The Blessed Virgin Mary is Co-Redemptrix, that is, she participates in Our Lord’s saving work, in a unique way.” pic.twitter.com/d0ZywHIm2M
Shortly after the document was published, Fr. Chris Alar, the Provincial Superior of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, said during Mass that he did not personally agree with this doctrinal note, but would be obedient.
Fr. Alar described how Popes Pius X, Pius XI, and John Paul II all used the title Co-Redemptrix, and that even though Mater Populi Fidelis cited some of Cardinal Ratzinger’s comments on the title as justification for discouragement of the use of the term, he disagrees in interpretation of Ratzinger’s comments.
“He was actually opposed to using those terms for Mary dogmatically – not declaring them dogma,” Fr. Alar explained. “But I personally look at that – just because he said not to declare it dogma, I don’t think he said never to use it.”
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