The remarks, reported by The Catholic Herald from a copy of the original talk issued by Burke’s office, mark a notable intervention in the debate that followed the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (DDF) November 4, 2025, doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis.

Signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and approved by Pope Leo XIV on October 7, 2025, MPF claimed it is “always inappropriate” to use the title Co-Redemptrix to define Mary’s cooperation in the Redemption. The note argued that the expression risks “obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation” and becomes “unhelpful” when it requires repeated explanations to prevent misunderstanding. It likewise discouraged Our Lady’s long-standing title, “Mediatrix of All Graces.”

In January, Pope Leo XIV praised the document as offering “precise and important clarifications for Mariology” and a “great benefit” to the faithful. Cardinal Fernández later sought to clarify that “always” referred to future official and liturgical use, adding that those who understand the title’s true meaning “may use the title – but it will not be used officially.”

‘The Blessed Virgin Mary is Co-Redemptrix’

Speaking after Mass during events organized with Radio Maria Nederland, Burke used the title without hesitation.

“The Blessed Virgin Mary is Co-Redemptrix, that is, she participates in Our Lord’s saving work, in a unique way,” he said. Situating that uniqueness within the broader Christian vocation shared by all the faithful, he affirmed, “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 into our care.”

The cardinal from Wisconsin affirmed that Mary’s cooperation implies no defect in the salvific work of her divine Son, Jesus Christ.

“It is not that the Sacrifice of Our Lord is in any way defective,” he noted, referencing the Gospel of Luke. “It is perfect and procures divine grace and eternal life for all who unite themselves to Our Lord in His Sacrifice. All that is lacking is our wholehearted participation in Our Lord’s Sacrifice, our daily taking up the Cross and following Him.”

He then turned to Isaiah 61:10-11, saying God’s promise is “fulfilled, first of all and most perfectly of all, in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary by her irreplaceable cooperation in the Mystery of the Redemptive Incarnation.” That same promise, he added, “is to be fulfilled in each of our lives as co-workers, with the Virgin Mother of God in her Divine Son’s work of the Redemption.”

Mater Populi Fidelis ‘basically states the ‘right opposite’ of what the Church Fathers and previous Popes have historically taught’

Cardinal Burke’s doctrinal presentation aligns with critiques of Mater Populi Fidelis that quickly emerged after its promulgation late last year.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider confirmed that the Ordinary Magisterium, saints, and Doctors of the Church have long taught co-redemption and mediation under these titles, so it “cannot be maintained that the Ordinary Magisterium could have led the faithful astray through a consistently inappropriate use.”

He cited papal texts from Leo XIII through John Paul II, including Pius XI’s 1933 statement that “we invoke her under the title of Co-Redemptrix.”

Dutch Bishop Rob Mutsaerts, who was present for the weekend events with Burke, has written that “cooperation does not mean rivalry” and that “the term ‘Co-Redemptrix’ is not as shocking as some fear,” because “co” means “with,” not equality.

The International Marian Association Theological Commission, including theologians such as Scott Hahn and Mark Miravalle, called the note an “anti-development of doctrine,” noting that Lumen Gentium 58 affirms Mary’s association with Christ’s sacrifice even without using the word, and that many core Catholic terms require explanation.

Mariologist Fr. Serafino Lanzetta, STD, who sponsored a “Filial Appeal to Pope Leo XIV” last December asking him to reconsider Mater Populi Fidelis, commented that “never in the history of the Church has the magisterium said what this document says; instead, it basically states the ‘right opposite’ of what the Church Fathers and previous Popes have historically taught.”

Though Cardinal Burke did not directly contest the DDF note’s disciplinary directive for official texts, he did echo the voices of other experts in presenting the long-affirmed title as a concise expression of a doctrine rooted in Sacred Scripture, the uniqueness of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s fiat at the Annunciation, her suffering with Christ at Calvary, and the baptismal call of all the faithful to cooperate in Christ’s work.

Cardinal Raymond Burke publicly reaffirmed the Blessed Virgin Mary’s traditional title of Co-Redemptrix during a conference on Sunday at the Cathedral of Saint Bavo in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

The remarks, reported by The Catholic Herald from a copy of the original talk issued by Burke’s office, mark a notable intervention in the debate that followed the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (DDF) November 4, 2025, doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis.

Signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and approved by Pope Leo XIV on October 7, 2025, MPF claimed it is “always inappropriate” to use the title Co-Redemptrix to define Mary’s cooperation in the Redemption. The note argued that the expression risks “obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation” and becomes “unhelpful” when it requires repeated explanations to prevent misunderstanding. It likewise discouraged Our Lady’s long-standing title, “Mediatrix of All Graces.”

In January, Pope Leo XIV praised the document as offering “precise and important clarifications for Mariology” and a “great benefit” to the faithful. Cardinal Fernández later sought to clarify that “always” referred to future official and liturgical use, adding that those who understand the title’s true meaning “may use the title – but it will not be used officially.”

‘The Blessed Virgin Mary is Co-Redemptrix’

Speaking after Mass during events organized with Radio Maria Nederland, Burke used the title without hesitation.

“The Blessed Virgin Mary is Co-Redemptrix, that is, she participates in Our Lord’s saving work, in a unique way,” he said. Situating that uniqueness within the broader Christian vocation shared by all the faithful, he affirmed, “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 into our care.”

The cardinal from Wisconsin affirmed that Mary’s cooperation implies no defect in the salvific work of her divine Son, Jesus Christ.

“It is not that the Sacrifice of Our Lord is in any way defective,” he noted, referencing the Gospel of Luke. “It is perfect and procures divine grace and eternal life for all who unite themselves to Our Lord in His Sacrifice. All that is lacking is our wholehearted participation in Our Lord’s Sacrifice, our daily taking up the Cross and following Him.”

He then turned to Isaiah 61:10-11, saying God’s promise is “fulfilled, first of all and most perfectly of all, in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary by her irreplaceable cooperation in the Mystery of the Redemptive Incarnation.” That same promise, he added, “is to be fulfilled in each of our lives as co-workers, with the Virgin Mother of God in her Divine Son’s work of the Redemption.”

Mater Populi Fidelis ‘basically states the ‘right opposite’ of what the Church Fathers and previous Popes have historically taught’

Cardinal Burke’s doctrinal presentation aligns with critiques of Mater Populi Fidelis that quickly emerged after its promulgation late last year.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider confirmed that the Ordinary Magisterium, saints, and Doctors of the Church have long taught co-redemption and mediation under these titles, so it “cannot be maintained that the Ordinary Magisterium could have led the faithful astray through a consistently inappropriate use.”

He cited papal texts from Leo XIII through John Paul II, including Pius XI’s 1933 statement that “we invoke her under the title of Co-Redemptrix.”

Dutch Bishop Rob Mutsaerts, who was present for the weekend events with Burke, has written that “cooperation does not mean rivalry” and that “the term ‘Co-Redemptrix’ is not as shocking as some fear,” because “co” means “with,” not equality.

The International Marian Association Theological Commission, including theologians such as Scott Hahn and Mark Miravalle, called the note an “anti-development of doctrine,” noting that Lumen Gentium 58 affirms Mary’s association with Christ’s sacrifice even without using the word, and that many core Catholic terms require explanation.

Mariologist Fr. Serafino Lanzetta, STD, who sponsored a “Filial Appeal to Pope Leo XIV” last December asking him to reconsider Mater Populi Fidelis, commented that “never in the history of the Church has the magisterium said what this document says; instead, it basically states the ‘right opposite’ of what the Church Fathers and previous Popes have historically taught.”

Though Cardinal Burke did not directly contest the DDF note’s disciplinary directive for official texts, he did echo the voices of other experts in presenting the long-affirmed title as a concise expression of a doctrine rooted in Sacred Scripture, the uniqueness of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s fiat at the Annunciation, her suffering with Christ at Calvary, and the baptismal call of all the faithful to cooperate in Christ’s work.

Myles Allman, Lifesite News