It was however often difficult to be certain whether the degree itself, or merely its status and privileges, which was being conferred. Given the ostensible purpose of the papal dispensatory jurisdiction, it would perhaps be more logical to view all of these “degrees” as strictly degree-status, and not substantive degrees.
Determining if a degree was granted based on its actual content or simply its symbolic value and privileges was difficult. The intended purpose of the papal dispensation authority suggests that these "degrees" should be viewed solely as symbols of status rather than true academic qualifications.