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.
Given the intended purpose of the papal dispensation authority, it is suggested that the "degrees" being conferred should be viewed as primarily symbolic and not as genuine academic qualifications.