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Synopsis of an Article by Christine Niles, M.St. (Oxon.), J.D. •  ChurchMilitant.com  •  December 30, 2016

The Theological Commission of an International Marian Association published a 10-page document about “The Role of Mary in Redemption.”  “The document respectfully requests Pope Francis to acknowledge and honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as ‘Co-Redemptrix with Jesus the Redeemer’ during the 2017 centenary anniversary of the Marian Apparitions in Fatima, Portugal.”  The request is a part of a wider movement for the Church to proclaim the Fifth Marian Dogma.

The 33-member commission offered a summary of its document:

Our Lady’s free decision to be Mother of Our Lord was the beginning of Her participation in Our Lord’s mission of salvation of the human race;

Our Lady’s special participation in Our Lord’s work of redemption is only possible through His infinite merits, and does not detract from Christ’s redemptive work;

Mention of  the “woman” in Genesis 3:15 and Her “seed” is a foreshadowing of Our Lady’s victory over Satan and sin. The Immaculate Conception is preparation for Her to be perfect human partner with Our Lord;

The Presentation reveals Our Lady’s continued mission of co-redeemer with Christ, culminating at Golgotha, where She interiorly unites Herself with Our Lord’s sufferings on the Cross;

The Early Church concept of the “New Eve” is the first sign of the teaching of Our Lady as co-redeemer; Her title as “Redemptrix” to point to her suffering with Our Lord at Calvary (10th century); acknowledgment of Her being “co-crucified” with Our Lord (12th century); the “Co-Redemptrix” title (15th century); the “golden age” of Co-Redemptrix (17th century); the title of “Co-Redemptrix” applied by Pope Pius XI and Pope St. John Paul II (19th and 20th centuries);

The prefix “co-” denotes “with” and not “equal.” No one can be placed on the level of the Divine, as such would be blasphemy.

2017 is the centenary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima, “which in itself constitutes a powerful manifestation of Our Lady’s co-redemption in action.”

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