Protestant Scholars Welcome Tucho’s Document Against the Title 'Co-Redemptrix'

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Protestant Scholars Welcome Tucho’s Document Against the Title 'Co-Redemptrix'

gloria.tv | December 15, 2025

Three Protestant scholars have praised a document by Cardinal Víctor “Tucho” Fernández opposing the Marian titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces, speaking to CatholicNewsAgency.com on December 15.

David Luy, a theology professor at the North American Lutheran Seminary, said the document was written “with an attentiveness” to concerns often raised by Protestants. Protestant objections “sprout from a desire to uphold the distinctiveness of Christ as the one mediator.” According to Luy, the document demonstrates “a sensibility to that central Protestant concern”.

“Does it relieve potential strain between Protestants and Catholics? The short answer would be yes,” Luy said.

However, he added that the concept of mediation in general “is probably where there’d be a need for ongoing conversation.”

Cynthia Rigby, a theology professor at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, said the document could mark “a watershed moment” in Catholic–Protestant relations.

Rigby emphasized that Mary should be understood as a woman of “great faith,” noting that, under this framing, “Christians will identify her less as a secondary savior and more as an exemplary Christian.”

She added, “The weight will shift from trying to explain how it is that Mary brokers salvation without rivaling Christ … to what we can learn about the joy of salvation through her example.”

Tom Krattenmaker, a Lutheran pastor and theology professor at Yale Divinity School, described the document as “very welcome,” noting that Mariology has been “one of the major points distinguishing Christian traditions since the Reformation.”

He said the guidance on Marian titles and the explanations provided are “extraordinarily helpful for ecumenical dialogue” because they affirm Christ as the sole Redeemer and Mediator.

Pope Leo XIV, Krattenmaker noted, “makes very clear that we can say so in ecumenical communality.” It is “a reason for Protestants to embrace the clear step forward he is making toward Christian unity.”