Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo, former president of India’s National Conference of Catholic Bishops, granted the following interview with Zenit News Service concerning the drive for the new solemn definition of a fifth Marian dogma that would define Mary’s spiritual maternity under its three essential aspects—Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate. Contrary to the opinions of some who believe that such a solemn definition would adversely affect ecumenical relations, Cardinal Toppo believes that such a definition would enhance the ecumenical mission of the Church. “I have no doubt that non-Catholic Christians participating in ecumenical dialogue, either will find this position acceptable or at least will have no valid or convincing argument against it.”
—Asst. Ed.
RANCHI, India, MAY 5, 2008 – Proclaiming Mary as the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity would benefit ecumenical and interreligious dialogue because it would help non-Catholics to understand many things about the Mother of God, says Cardinal Telesphore Toppo.
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Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo, former president of India’s National Conference of Catholic Bishops, granted the following interview with Zenit News Service concerning the drive for the new solemn definition of a fifth Marian dogma that would define Mary’s spiritual maternity under its three essential aspects—Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate. Contrary to the opinions of some who believe that such a solemn definition would adversely affect ecumenical relations, Cardinal Toppo believes that such a definition would enhance the ecumenical mission of the Church. “I have no doubt that non-Catholic Christians participating in ecumenical dialogue, either will find this position acceptable or at least will have no valid or convincing argument against it.”
—Asst. Ed.
Proclaiming Mary as the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity would benefit ecumenical and interreligious dialogue because it would help non-Catholics to understand many things about the Mother of God, says Cardinal Telesphore Toppo.
In 2004, I attended in Rome the Plenary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (May 2004) and also the Study Days on Vatican II’s Decree Ad Gentes (October 2004). At both these events it was emphasized that the Church’s commitment to Evangelization and to Dialogue go hand in hand. This eventually led me to dedicate this short reflection on “Mary Co-redemptrix as a help in Dialogue.”
In inter-religious dialogue it is of the utmost importance that both sides come to know each other’s faith position as accurately as possible. Now it is my contention that a Catholic’s presentation and explanation of Mary’s title and role as Co-Redemptrix would greatly help his/her dialogue-partner to understand correctly some basics of the Church’s teaching.
The title “Co-Redemptrix” would naturally provide the occasion to present our doctrine concerning the Redeemer. This would be preceded by the explanation of the mystery of Redemption. This would presuppose a catechesis on God, even the triune Gocd, and on Creation, including the creation of free human beings, who abused their freedom, with nefarious consequences for the entire human race, including its state of original sin and fall from grace. [...]
The following is an account of the audience of His Eminence, Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo, with Pope Benedict XVI, during which Cardinal Toppo presented the Acta of the 2005 Fatima Symposium on Marian Coredemption, May 3-7, 2005, to the Holy Father. – Ed.
On June 3, 2006, First Saturday of the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Eve of the solemnity of Pentecost, I was privileged to have a private audience with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. My primary purpose in requesting the audience was to present to the Holy Father the Acta of theological presentations from the 2005 Fatima Symposium on Marian Coredemption, as well as the Votum, written in Latin and signed by a significant number of cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, which requests the solemn papal definition of Our Lady as the spiritual Mother of All Peoples, Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces and Advocate.
During our fifteen-minute audience, the Holy Father received the Votum and the Acta with a keen interest. He was surprised that so many cardinals and bishops had signed the Votum. He then briefly examined the Acta text and stated that he would read the Acta, and then subsequently pass it on to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for their examination, as is the expected protocol.
Once again, the Holy Father received both the Acta and the Votum with a particular interest, and made reference to his direct reading of the Acta before passing it on to the Holy Office.
For me, I was most happy to be able to present the Holy Father with the fruits of the Fatima symposium from the many brother cardinals and bishops who had assembled in Fatima in May, 2005 for the purpose of furthering the cause for the papal definition of the Mother of all peoples, Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate. Let us now commend our fervent prayers for the petition for this Marian dogma, with the confidence that Our Lord and Our Lady will do all necessary to bring this cause to its proper fulfillment, joined by our ongoing prayers and efforts.
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