Did Pius XII Change a Dogma in 1947?

Abstract

In 1947, Pius XII issued the Apostolic Constitution Sacramentum ordinis, which reformed the matter and form of ordaining Deacons, Priests and Bishops, thus changing a doctrine that had been valid for 500 years. Whereas the Council of Florence, in its 1439 Decree for the Armenians, had established the presentation of instruments as the matter of the sacrament, the laying on of hands was now sufficient. For the first time, it is possible to reconstruct the genesis of this papal document, thus providing an insight into the writing workshop of the Magisterium and the Holy Office. The Consultor Franz Hürth SJ was the main actor in this sacramental-theologically sensitive issue. Did Pius XII thereby change a dogma?

Keywords

• Franz Hürth SJ. Holy Office. Papal Magisterium. Pius XII. Sacramental theology