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of ArticlesMary’s Mediation Is Subordinate, says Pope John Paul II. While the Blessed Virgin Mary can be called a mediator of grace and salvation, it must be recognized that her role is totally to and dependent on Christ.
"Far from being an obstacle to the exercise of Christ’s unique mediation, Mary instead highlights its fruitfulness and efficacy", the Holy Father explained at a recent general audience.
Several month’s ago, Time Magazine reported that some Catholics in the United States have asked the Pope to raise to the status of dogma Mary’s role as "Mediatrix," "Coredemptrix," and "Advocate," titles used in piety to describe her. While Vatican officials have said the Pope is not considering the request, this latest catechesis confirms it.
At the 65th installment of his audience series on the Blessed Mother held on Wednesday, October 1, 1997, the Pope explained the Church’s teaching about what it means to use the title "Mediatrix" in reference to Mary.
The text of St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy states, "For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all." The text, the Pope said, "excludes every other parallel mediation, but not a subordinate mediation." In fact it is possible to participate in the mediation of Christ in various areas of the work of salvation.
While no one’s efforts to bring others to salvation, not even Mary’s, can be compared to what Christ did, all are called to draw on the power of Christ and lead others to him.
In its English translation, the L’Osservatore Romano reported that the Holy Father said, "In this desire to increase participation in the unique mediation of Christ is seen the gratuitous love of God, who wants to share all he possesses. Mary is the pre-eminent one among the faithful who act as mediators for others. The mediation of Mary is closely tied to her maternity, possessing a specifically maternal characteristic which distinguishes her from all other creatures."