All the bishops of a province, with respect to their archbishop, are called his suffra gans; but originally this term denoted the bishops who were consecrated to assist and help the other bishops, and to supply their places when absent. They were also called chorepascopi, or bishops of the country.
The B. of Durham had formerly a palatine jurisdiction, as it was called in the county of Durham; and the B. of Ely had a similar secular authority in certain places; but these powers were transferred to the crown in 1836. The houses of bishops are called their palaces. In old times their palaces in London were extra-dio•esan; and while residing there, they exercised jurisdiction in the same manner as in their own dioceses. This personal privilege is now extinct in the bishops: hut Lambert house. Croydon. Win chester place, and Ely house retain the privilege. A bishop makes a triennial visitation of his diocese.
The conferring of orders rests, in a great measure, with the discretion of the bishop. He can refuse to ordain without giving any reason, hut he can ordain no person who does not subscribe to the queen's supremacy, the book of Cemmon Player, and the 39 articles. A candidate for orders must he first examined and and the person to whom the right of performing this duly belongs, is by the canon law the arch deacon of the diocese. A B. may give letters dimissory to another B., lie( using the latter to ordain a candidate. No person under 23 can be ordained deacon, and none can be ordained; pr.cst under 24 years of age. See OnmsATIoN.
In England, there are 30 bishops, including the two metropolitans—viz.. Canterbury, York, London, Durham, Winchester, Bangor, Rochester, Exeter, Peterborough, St. David's, Worcester. Chichester. Lichfield, Ely. Oxford. St. Asaph, Manchester, Here
ford, Chester, Llandaff, Lincoln, Salisbury, Bath and Wells, Carlisle,. Gloucester and Bristol, Ripon, Norwich, Sodor and Man, Truro, St. Albans. Two of these, the B. of Sodor and Man, and the junior of the rest (provided he be not an archbishop, or bishop of London, Durham. or Winchester), have no seat in parliament.
In Ireland, there are 12, including the two metropolitans, whose sees stand first— viz., and Clogher,.Dublin and Kildare, Meath, Killaloe, Kilfenora, Clonfert and Kilinaednagh, Killala, and Achonry; Ossory. Ferns, and Leighlin; Cashel, Dilly. Waterford, and Lismore; Down, Connor, and Dromore; Derry and Raphoe, Limerick. Ardfc7t, and Agliadoe; Kihnore, Elphin, and Ardagh ; Cork, Cloyne, and Ross.
In British North America. there are 10 secs; in the West Indies. 4; in South America, 1: in Africa. 6: in Asia. 6; in Mistral:Isis. 12; and in Europe, 1—that of Gibraltar; besides missionary bish ps and the II. at Jerusalem. There are 7 bishops of the Episcopal church in Scotland. In the United States, there are 39 bishops of the Protestant Episco pal church.
There are an archbishopric and 13 Roman Catholic bishops in England. In Ireland there are 4 Catholic archbishops and 28 bishops. The Roman Catholic hierarchy in Scotland was formally restored in 1878, and has 2 archbishops and 4 bishops. The assumption of territorial titles by Roman Catholic bishops in England and Scotland is illegal, but they are. nevertheless, commonly ascribed to them by members of that com munion. Sec Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity. Burn's Ecclesiastical Law, Cripp's Laura of the Church, and Blackstone. See also Ancermsnor.