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Simple. Development is a specific type of change that entails a change that is not substantial. A child develops (changes) into an adult but still remains substantially a person. If it were possible for an ant to change into a wolf, we wouldn't call this a "development" since it https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1348594034701455361
is not in the nature of an ant to change into a wolf. It would simply be a change. "Change" can entail a substantial change whether real or imaginary. I can imagine an ant changing into a wolf, but that change is not possible in reality.
When we speak about a "development
When we speak about a "development
in doctrine," we are not saying that there is a change in the substance of the Church's teaching. The substance is unchanging because it consists of the unchanging Word of God and Divine Revelation. Rather, development in doctrine is what occurs in the Church's presentation of
said doctrine. It happens as the Church's understanding of doctrine grows to be more and more in conformity with objective truth, with Divine Revelation, with the Word of God.
The doctrinal development referenced in the Motu Proprio touches upon the Church's understanding of
The doctrinal development referenced in the Motu Proprio touches upon the Church's understanding of
the ministries of Lector and Acolyte. Notice that I said "ministries" and not minor orders. Pope St. Paul VI abolished minor orders with the Apostolic Letter Ministeria Quaedam and installed the "ministries" of Lector and Acolyte. Paul VI was very clear in his letter that the
conferral of these ministries are not called "ordination" but "institution." These ministries are an outgrowth of the common priesthood of the baptized. Yet they are substantially distinct from the ordained ministry, which has always and will always be reserved to men only.
Point being: Is there a development of doctrine here? Yes. Is it a change in the substantial teaching of the Church? No. It is merely a change, as Fr. Martin says, in church practice and law. The Church can and certainly does change her practice over the years to reflect
doctrinal developments. But the essential teaching of the Church remains intact.
