Transignification

The transignification is a theological model of explanation of the conversion of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist.

The Transsignifikationslehre

In the theological discussion about the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Supper before and after the Second Vatican Council was trying to find new models for explaining the classic Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. Above all, an alternative should be developed to the concept of substance. The works on the subject of Jean de Baciocchi and later by Edward Schillebeeckx and Piet Schoonenberg point in the discussion of the concept of substance to which the Upper changing importance of communion elements back and describe it with transignification. The transignification proceeds on the importance of a conversion of the elements of bread and wine, which concerns the identity of the elements themselves.

The criticism from the Roman Catholic Magisterium against such interpretation of the doctrine of transubstantiation refers to the unexplained or even discussed ontological dimension of this transformation. A mere subjective meaning conversion by the communicants is not sufficient, but if it were an objective change of character. This criticism was trying to rebut by pointing out that even the "substance" change at a conversion of the identity of the res.