RELIGION

By Richard N. Ostling

Will Mary-loving Pope John Paul II cap his career by declaring a new dogma? A recent anthology from a small Roman Catholic publisher in Santa Barbara, Calif., predicts that as early as next year, John Paul will exercise his power of infallibility to declare Mary the Co-Redemptrix of humanity and "Mediatrix" of all graces. That would make her a participant in salvation--along with her son Jesus Christ. There has long been talk of such a move, since devotion to Catholicism's Queen of Heaven is never far from the heart of this Pontiff.

Last year the Vatican quietly asked a special international panel of theologians for advice. The Vatican daily newspaper disclosed last week that the advice was unanimous--leave things be. Among the reasons: Popes have shunned Co-Redemptrix talk for a half-century; the bishops of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) decided not to give Mary any new titles; and such a dogma could raise "ecumenical difficulties." Translation: Protestants and the Orthodox would go into orbit, feeling Christ has been demeaned as the unique Saviour.

--By Richard N. Ostling