Summary
On November 4, 2025, the Department for the Doctrine of Faith of the Catholic Church published “Mater Populi Fidelis: A doctrinal note regarding Marian titles concerning Mary’s cooperation in salvation during Pope Francis’s papacy. Prefect Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández and Secretary Monsignor Armando Matteo signed the note, which Pope Leo XIV approved on October 7, approving it for publication in a General Session of the Department for the Doctrine of Faith held on March 26, 2025.” The note caused controversy among Catholics, with its approval coming after the controversial “Fiducia Supplicans” statement permitting Catholic priests to bless same-sex and adulterous unions. This was followed by a New York Times article about a couple receiving a blessing from Father James Martin, S.J., who supports homosexual and heterosexual unions within the Catholic Church. The note aims to clarify whether certain Marian titles are acceptable or not in an ecumenical effort to align with Protestant views, as ex- Anglican theologian Gavin Ashenden suggests it could even be approved by Martin Luther. Teologo Mariológico Father Serafino Maria Lanzetta comments that the goal of this new document is clearly ecumenical and aligned with what he calls “the spirit of Vatican II,” emphasizing its intention to reconcile with Protestant thought, including rejecting Church tradition and Magisterium.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Fides Note, Ecumenism
