The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-01-05

total NUMBER OF Tatrlarcnates. ArcnOlSn.
oprics, and Bshoprics amounted to 874.
In addition to the Patriarchs. Arch
bishops, and Bishops, there is considera-
BILE number of prelates who are styled
Bishops in partibus in6,lclum, that is. ''in
the lands of the infdrs." They are either
the heads Of districts in Pagan or Protes-
tant countries, which the Popes do not
deem it prudent to erect into regular do
ceses or the assistants of some Bishops
who have very large diocpses, or who are
in n6rm health, or. in some instances, only
high dignitaries, on whom the Episcopal
dignity is conferred from personal grounds.
Together there were of this class. in Janua
~. 1869. pa. More than hundred do
ceses, however, were vacant, and the actual
number Of prelates with the title of Bish-
ops. constituting the Catholic Hierarchy,
at the beginning Of the present year, was
99l
PROMINENT BISHOPS.
Though most fthe Bishops are undoubt-
eddy men Of prominence ut home, but few
Of them are known to the American public
at large. We forbear, therefore, printing
their names from The official Papa, Alma.
nae. as but few of them would be recognized
by the majority of our readers. Among
those best known among US are Archbish-
OPP Manning of Westminster Archbishop
Durboy of Paris, Bishop Dupanloup of
Orleans, and DR.. Helele Bishop Elect OF
Rot, enburg Archbishop Manning, the
brotherin-law of the Anglican Bishop
Wilberfo ce, has recently attracted great
attention by his bold defense Of the doc
,rine of Papal infallibiity, which is ex-
pected to be among the chief topics to he
discussed and acted upon by the Council
Archbishop Darboy Of Paris is friend of
a conciiiatory attitude on the part of the
Church toward the State Governments,
and has by his cautious conduct gained
the entire confidence Of Louis Napoleon
and the distrust of the Poge, who last year
reprimapdea him in severe letter, which
few months since was published for thu
first time. Bishop Dupnnloup is probably
the best known of all the Catholic Bishops.
A mem Der of the French Academy and a
brilliant and prolific writer, he has exer-
cised considerable influence upon the
higher circles OF French society. An
eager champion of all the interests of the
| Church, he has yet never hesitated before
and after his elevation to the Episcopal
dignity, to rebuke the impetuosity Of the
! literary leaders of the Ultramontane party.
Quite recently, though he censured the
| conduct of Father Hyacintbe, he at the
same time spoke earnestly against the
| UItramontane detendets Of the Papal in
faliibilty. DR.. Hefele. Professor at the
University of T'ubinsen, and Bishop Elect
of Rottenburg. is probably the most learn
ed among all the Bishops Of the Church
He is the author Of by far the best work
on the general history Of the Councils, the
learning OF which is cheerfully recognized
| by literary men Of all schools. Though
not yet confirmed in Rome, and not yet
consccrated. he was the leading spirit in
he recent National Council OF the German
Bishops at Fnlda and the mastery ad-
dress of this Council, which accomplished
the difficult task OF indicating its non-con-
currence with the Ultramontane pressure
for the promu CATION Of the Papat infalii-
bility without giving offrnse in Rome, was
generally supposed to have emanuted from
his pen. The Secretary of the Council,
Bishop Fessler, is also O German. and is
the author Of a work on the coming Coun-
Gil but the prominent scholars of Catholic
Germany barely conceal thoir opinion that
they consider his work one of little or no
merit If there were pnbic discussions, as
! in legislative bodies, we might soon be-
come acquainted with other prominent men
| of the Episcopal order; but as little will
he known of the transactions Of the CJun.
Gil it can hardly be expected that our ac-
the Bishops in Rome will be greatly ex-
! tended.
THE MONASTIC ORDERS.
Beside Cardinals, Patriachs, Arch
bishops and Bishops, also the Generals
of Monastic Orders and the mitred Alb
bots have a right of admission to the
Council. According to a recent state
ment made by the Pontifcaf Chamber
lain, there are % Abbots and 50 Cen
erals of Orders. Hardly any of them
has literary name; hardly any, we
believe Except, perhaps, Father Becks,
the General of the Jesuits,) will be bet
ter known, even in Europe; than Faith
er Hecker, the Superior Of the Ameri-
can Paulists. But, though well known
these Generals represent cohsidcra-
Die army. Religious orders Of both
men and women are again making rap
id progress. In the United States, in
England, in all the States of Germany
| Especially in Prussia,) in France, the
number of monasteries is increasing
with great CELEBRITY. The Franciscans
again claim So 200 members. the Do
miuicans, 1000; the Jesuits, $500; the
Carmclitcs, 1900; the Trappists, 1000;
the Lazarists, 1000; the Parists, 2, 900 /;
the Redemptorists 1000; the female
orders together, 10000. To infuse
new vitality into all these orders, many
of which during the last two or three
centuries have given but few signs of
life, has always been a favorite design
of the Pope, who, it may be expected,
will soon bring the subject before the
Council.
THE EASTERN RITES.
While the majority of the ancient
churches of the East which from the
fifth to the twelfth century dissolved
the communion with Rome, still re-
main in this separation, the efforts of
Rome have succeeded in gaining over
a small portion of each Of them.
Those who enter the communion Of
Rome of course accept the distinctive
doctrines Of the Roman Catholic Churcl,
but they are allowed to retain many
peculiar usages, such as the language
Of their ancient liturgies and the mar
riege of priests. The Churches thus
united with Rome are the United
: Melchite Greeks, the United Ronman-
ian Greeks. the United Rntheniar