Posted on 10/07/2002 1:03:41 PM PDT by Polycarp
This is a decent summary from a non-Catholic source:
Current status of Mary:
Although the virgin Mary is rarely mentioned in the Bible, and although Protestant churches consider her to be a relatively minor biblical character, the Roman Catholic Church has long assigned her an elevated status.
The Roman Catholic Church has historically taught two basic dogmas about Mary:
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1. Mary is the Mother of God. |
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2. Perpetual Virginity: Mary was a virgin when Yeshua (Jesus) was conceived; this state continued throughout her life. |
Two additional dogmas about Mary were infallibly proclaimed by two popes during the 19th and 20th centuries:
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3. Immaculate Conception: Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on 1854-DEC-8. Many Roman Catholics believe that this refers to Jesus' conception circa 5 to 7 BCE. In fact, it means that Mary herself was conceived free of sin before her birth circa 20 BCE. |
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4. Assumption of Mary: Pope Pius XII, in his Munificentissimus Deus (1950-NOV-1), defined that Mary, "after the completion of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven." That is, she was "taken up body and soul into heaven," at the time of her death. She is there "exalted as Queen of the Universe." 1 |
In addition, various popes and church councils have referred to Mary as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate:
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In ancient times:
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1750: Alphonsus Mary de Liguori, canonized as Saint Alphonsus in 1839, wrote a book "The Glories of Mary." It continues to be published today, under various church imprimaturs. Various chapters in the book are titled: "Mary our Help," "Mary our Mediatress," "Mary our Advocate," etc. 1 | ||||||
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1935: Pope Pius XI gave the title co-redemptrix to Mary during a radio broadcast. 1 | ||||||
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Circa 1965: The Chapter 8 of the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, passed by the Vatican Council II states, in part:
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1985: Pope John Paul II recognized Mary as co-redemptrix" during a speech in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He said, in part, "Having suffered for the Church, Mary deserved to become the Mother of all the disciples of her Son, the Mother of their unity...In fact Mary’s role as Co-redemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son." 4 | ||||||
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1987-MAR-25: In his encyclical Redemptoris Mater, Pope John Paul II "referred to Mary as 'Mediatrix' three times, and as 'Advocate' twice." 1 | ||||||
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1997-APR-9: During an audience Pope John-Paul II referred to the role of Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus: "Mary … co-operated during the event itself and in the role of mother; thus her co-operation embraces the whole of Christ’s saving work. She alone was associated in this way with the redemptive sacrifice that merited the salvation of all mankind. In union with Christ and in submission to him, she collaborated in obtaining the grace of salvation for all humanity...In God’s plan, Mary is the ‘woman’ (cf. John 2:4; John 19:26), the New Eve, united to the New Adam in restoring humanity to its original dignity. Her cooperation with her Son continues for all time in the universal motherhood which she enjoys in the order of grace. Trusting in this maternal cooperation, let us turn to Mary, imploring her help in all our needs." 1 |
Although Mary has been referred to on numerous occasions as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate, none have the force of an infallible papal declaration.
Professor Mark Miravalle of Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, initiated a formal petition drive in 1993 during a Marian conference at that university. It asks the Pope to make infallible statement that would officially elevate Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the status of co-redeemer. More than six million signatures from 148 countries have reached the Vatican as of the end of the year 2000, asking that Pope John Paul II infallibly declare a new dogma: "That the Virgin Mary is a co-redeemer with Jesus and co-operates fully with her son in the redemption of humanity." If this were done, "she would be a vastly more powerful figure, something close to the fourth member of the Holy Trinity and the primary female face through which Christians experience the divine." 3 Miravalle's petition has received support from Mother Theresa, 550 bishops, Cardinal John O'Connor and 41 other cardinals (including at least 12 cardinals in Rome). If the dogma is declared infallibly, it would pronounce Mary as "Co-Redemptrix [co-redeemer], Mediatrix [mediator] of All Graces, and Advocate for the People of God." It would require all Roman Catholics to believe that:
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Mary is co-redemptrix with Jesus. She participates in people's redemption. |
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Mary is mediatrix and has the power to grant all graces. |
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Mary is the advocate for the people of God and has the authority to influence God's judgments. |
If the dogma is infallibly declared, many feel that, in the words of Father Rene Laurentin, it would be the equivalent of launching "bombs" at Protestants. Father Laurentin is a French monk and the world's leading Mary scholar. He believes that: "Mary is the model of our faith but she is not divine. There is no mediation or co-redemption except in Christ. He alone is God." Raising the status of Mary would further acerbate the split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Ecumenical activity would be negatively affected. There is speculation that a schism might develop over the issue within the Roman Catholic church. There may be a renewed debate over the role of the pope's power in the church. 5,6
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people. Another immaculate conception?
I'm sorry I don't see the Scriptural allusion behind your statement. Where do you get that?
And I imagine what you call Scritpural does not include all of the books of Scripture recognized by the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church. So our basic definitions of what "Scriptural' means are in dispute.
We know that. Problem is, everyone else does not. Look at the [expletive spelled using two $$'s] who have commented on this thread already. Now multiply that a thousand-fold if "Co-redemptrix" were adopted.
Yet no one has hit the abuse button on this comment, to which I was primarily referring? :
You are free to have your "Mary queen of Hell" and Co-Redemptrix and all that if you like...us Protestants refuse to recognize Roman Catholicism as Christian and lump you in with the Mormons, who also have their version of "Mary" in the form of Joseph Smith.
Some of you folks are unbelievable. Just downright sinister.
Especially considering some of the other vile posts on this thread!
The moderators should be ashamed of themselves. But they won't be.
[In Judges 6:12 the Angel of the Lord says to Gideon, "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." In this case the Hebrew vocative is not a statement of absolute fact! It was said to Gideon when he was hiding in fear of the Midianites. He became a mighty man of valor, but this was not the case when the words were spoken.]
Stephen is said to be full
GREEK:
pljrjv, ev sometimes indeclinable; (1) of space fully occupied full (of), filled (with), with the genitive of what the filling consists; (a) literally, of things full of, filled with (MK 8.19); (b) figuratively, of persons full of, filled with, rich or abounding in, thoroughly endowed with (LU 4.1; AC 9.36); (2) of a totality of something or someone with nothing lacking complete, in full, wholly filled (JN 1.14); of grain fully ripe (MK 4.28)
of grace.
***Mary is found to be "she who is full of grace" (or 'she who is highly favored' - in most Protestant translations) long before she does or says anything having to do with God's plan for the Incarnation of His Son.***
Right, she was a godly woman. One in whom God's grace was exemplary.
***In Stephen's case the adjectival formula stresses its donation of 'grace and power' to him from God for his apostolic ministry.***
Both Mary and Stephen were exemplary recipients of God's grace. Both honored the Lord in obedience to the Divine call upon their life. Mary gave birth to and nurtured our Lord. Stephen gave his life as the first martyr.
In response to what?
Clearly, we would disagree strongly about Gideon and the meaning of the greeting of the Angel of the Lord. But I find it edifying to see how differently we see the Scriptures we have in common.
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