732
ITALY
Latin Rite: —
Immediately subject to the
Holy See Sutfragan in Ecclesiastical Provinces Oriental Rite : — Immediately subject to the Holy See : Grseco-Ruthenian Rite . Suffragan in Ecclesiastical Provinces :
III. Bishoprics.
Graeco-Rumanian Rite Grseco-Ruthenian Rite Under Patriarchs : Armenian Rite . Coptic Rite Grseco-Melchite Rite Syriac Rite . Syro-Chaldaic Rite Syro-Maronite Rite
83
637
3
6
16 2 8 5 9 2
773
Besides the above 979 sees, and 17 abbacies and prelatures ' nullius dice- ceseos,' there are now 8 apostolic delegations, 129 apostolic vicariates, and 48 apostolic prefectures, most of them held by titular archbishops or bishops (formerly called ' in partibus infidelium ').
The summary of actual dignitaries stood as follows for the beginning of 1899 (each dignitary being reckoned under his highest rank and title) : —
Sacred College of Cardinals 56
Patriarchs of either Rite ...... 7
Archbishops and Bishops of the Latin Rite, Residential 802 Archbishops and Bishops of the Oriental Rite . . 54 Archbishops and Bishops, Titular .... 347
Archbishops and Bishops now without title . . 7
Prelates Nullius Dicecescos ..... 8
Total
1,295
The central administration of the Roman Catholic Church is carried on by a number of permanent committees called Sacred Congregations, composed of Cardinals, with Consultors and Oflicials. There are now twenty Sacied Congregations, viz , Inquisition or Holy Office, Consistorial, Apostolic Visitation, Bishops and Regulars, Council, Residence of Bishops, State of Regulars, Ecclesiastical Immunity, Propaganda, Propaganda for Eastern Rite, Index, Sacred Rites, Ceremonial, Regular Discipline, Indulgences and Sacred Relics, Examination of Bishops, Fabric of St. Peter's, Lauretana, Extra- ordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, Studies.
Except seven apostolic vicariates in South America and one in Mexico, which depend upon the Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, the apostolic delegations, vicariates, and prefectures throughout the world stand under the ' Congregatio de Propaganda Fide. ' Their present distribution is as follows : —
Continents, &c.
Apostolic Delegations
Apostolic Apostolic Vicariates Prefectures
Europe .... Asia .... Africa .... America .... Oceania .
Total
2 4 1 1
11
58 26 21 13
4
11
25
5
3
8
129 48
1
Within the British Empire the present number of Roman Catholic reai-
