Ecumenism: the Church rejoices that non-Catholics honor Mary

Devotion to the Virgin Mary is an important theme in ecumenical dialogue. As Marian doctrine is intimately linked to the mystery of Christ and the Church, the differences or divergences between the various Churches or Christian denominations are naturally reflected in the way they speak of the Virgin Mary and perceive her role in faith and prayer. 

All those who call themselves Christians clearly affirm their common desire to move towards unity through a dialogue of conversion, listening to Christ and the Holy Spirit. The hope is to rediscover the undivided Church, while respecting each tradition. If from a human perspective the path seems long and fraught with difficulties, Christians hope for heaven's help, and resort to a dialogue of truth.

In a general audience (1), the holy Pope John Paul II said: 

" ‘It gives great joy and comfort to this sacred Synod (Vatican II) that among the separated brethren too there are those who give due honour to the Mother of our Lord and Saviour’... (Lumen gentium, n. 69; cf. Redemptoris Mater, nn. 29-34). In view of this fact, we can say that Mary’s universal motherhood, even if it makes the divisions among Christians seem all the sadder, represents a great sign of hope for the ecumenical journey.(...) In recent years, further study of the thought of the first Reformers has shed light on positions more open to Catholic doctrine. Luther’s writings, for example, show love and veneration for Mary, extolled as a model of every virtue: he upholds the sublime holiness of the Mother of God and at times affirms the privilege of the Immaculate Conception, sharing with other Reformers belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity.

The study of Luther and Calvin’s thought, as well as the analysis of some texts of Evangelical Christians, have contributed to a renewed attention by some Protestants and Anglicans to various themes of Mariological doctrine.

Some have even arrived at positions very close to those of Catholics regarding the fundamental points of Marian doctrine, such as her divine motherhood, virginity, holiness and spiritual motherhood."

Translated from Marian Encyclopedia

Saint John Paul II, General Audience, November 12, 1997

www.vatican.va