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A word about Mary
In November 2025, the Roman Catholic Church made headlines for dialing back some extreme statements about the virgin Mary. The Vatican office issued a formal statement that rejected Mary’s title as Co-redemptrix (i.e., Co-redeemer). We can thank God for this rejection of such an egregious error!
Some of you may be surprised to learn that there has been debate in the Catholic Church for many years regarding Mary’s exact role in the redemption of the world. The late Pope John Paul II used the title Co-redemptrix on numerous occasions. The late popes Francis and Benedict XVI both said the title was “inappropriate” or threatened to take away the focus from Jesus. Pope Leo XIV has given a final answer on the matter.
Some Christian news organizations have picked up on this positive development in the Catholic Church,¹ but the news isn’t all positive. The Vatican’s note makes clear that Christ alone redeemed the world and seeks to clarify Mary’s role for Catholic Christians: “Mary does not supplant the Lord in any action he has not already done (i.e., she does not take anything away from him) nor does she supplement him (i.e., she does not add to him).”² It does reject the Marian titles such as Co-redemptrix and Mediator (Mediatrix) of All Graces, but it’s not without its problems. It still allows the use of the title Mediatrix (as subordinate to Jesus) and praises Mary’s role in redemption as “the transmitter of joy” to all believers.
The doctrinal note is too long to summarize here. It includes many historical references to the church’s tradition alongside Scripture as the basis for the Catholic faith. It also affirms as correct what the Second Vatican Council decreed in the 1960s: “The holy Fathers see Mary not merely as a passive instrument in the hands of God, but as freely cooperating in the work of human salvation through faith and obedience.” The Roman Catholic Church is confused about Mary, and nothing about Marian devotion has really changed. The note even closes with the prayer: “Mother of the Faithful People of God, pray for us.”
The bottom line is clear: Sola Scriptura (the Reformation principle that Scripture alone establishes doctrine) still matters. Feb. 2 is the traditional day when Lutherans celebrate the minor festival of The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord (cf. Luke 2:22-38). We praise God the Father that he entrusted his Son to godly parents. Christians of all nations certainly call the mother of our Lord “blessed” for the unique role she played (cf. Luke 1:43,48). But according to God’s living and active Word, we maintain Jesus as the only hope, Savior, and strength for all churches claiming the name Christian.
The rise of AI in churches
In December 2025, Time magazine named “The Architects of Artificial Intelligence” as its Person of the Year. The magazine highlighted a group of people who design, imagine, and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) in our society and noted that 2025 was the year when AI has seemingly reached every aspect of American society.
Churches are not immune. A survey of eight thousand churches in 2025 revealed that close to 80 percent are using AI in some way, but the vast majority of pastors do not employ it for the writing of sermons.³ A growing number of people are also turning for spiritual guidance to apps like Text With Jesus on their phone.4
Some praise the use of AI as another resource for Christians to grow in their faith and knowledge, while others warn that AI can be governed more by algorithms, personal preference, and profit margins. Critics also argue that AI lacks the doctrinal integrity and human interaction necessary for faith-filled discipleship.
Read how WELS leaders are thoughtfully addressing the topic at forwardinchrist.net/technology-a-blessing.
Learn more about our synod’s AI Summit in 2025.
¹cbn.com/news/world/pope-leo-declares-jesus-alone-saved-world-rejects-title-mary-co-redeemer
²vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_ doc_20251104_mater-populi-fidelis_en.html#_Toc201667040
³christianpost.com/news/more-churches-embrace-ai-in-ministry.html
4milwaukeeindependent.com/explainers/churches-face-new-spiritual-dilemma-algorithms-americans-turn-ai-faith-guidance
Author: Benjamin Schaefer
Volume 113, Number 02
Issue: February 2026
