THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 207, 23 March 1877, Page 3

THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.

From the new volume of ' The Catholic Directory,' the ' Macclesfield Guardian' learns that in the Sacred College of Cardinals, which when full consists of seventy members, there are at present fourteen vacancies, including' that which was occasioned lately by the decease of Cardinal Patrizi. An explanation is given of the different grades among the cardinals, clearing up a matter which is very puzzling to Protestants. The three orders of cardinals — bishops, priests, and deacons — are distinct from the orders of the hierarchy. The six cardinal bishops are those whose dioceses are the six " suburban sees ;" then there are SO cardinal priests, whose titles are taken from churches in Borne, of which they are appointed superiors; and 14 cardinal deacons, who are appointed to the churches called " deaconries." Of the 56 living cardinals, 7 were created by Pope Gregory XVI. and 49 by Pius IX. The present number of patriarchs, primates, archbishops, and bishops throughout the world, including those who are retired and those who hold the title of sees inpartibus infidelium, is estimated at 1,142. Bat the number of residential sees of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops is only 894, and of these no fewer than 126 are in the British Empire — viz., 13 in England, 28 in Ireland, 3 in Scotland, and 44 in our colonies and dependencies. -The number of Catholic peers is 36, of whom 26 have seats in the House of Lords. There are 47 Catholic baronets, 7 Catholic members of the Privy. Council, and 50 Catholic members of Parliament, all of whom represent Irish constituencies. The number of priests in England. Wales, and Scotland is 2,088, and the number of public churches, chapel*, etc., is 1,315. This shows an increase as compared with lost year of 64 priests and 21 churches and chapels.