ed by a titular bishop {episcopus ecclesiw Hennensis) (Hartzheim, Concilia Germanicv, iv, 284). We find also mention made in the synod of Salzburg, in 1420, of epis- copi titulures (Hartzheim, v, 179), and in that of Pas- sau, in 1470 (can. 7, 8), of sujj'raganei, whose functions were to consecrate priests and churches. They received the name of suffraganei because they were to support the liishops by deed and w(ird (suffragio). Leo X, in the lit'th Latcraii ( \n\un\. 1514 (Sess. ix), granted also to the cardinals tlie privilege t>f having vicarii seu suffra- ganei. The Council of Trent (Sess. vi, cap. v, De re- form. ; Sess. xiv, cap. ii, viii, De reform.) sought to rem- edy the still existing abuses, for sometimes titular bish- ops endeavored to establish separate bishoprics for them- selves in the dioceses of the bishops whom they were to assist. On this and subsequent decisions (see Benedict XIV, De synodo diocesana, lib. ii, cap. vii; lib. xiii, cap. xiv ; Ferraris, Bibl. Canonica, s. v. Episcopus, art. vii. no. 21 sq.) is based the existing practice of creating bishops of the title of dioceses which have passed from the rule of the Romish Church. Hence, in the bull De salute animarum of 1821 to Prussia, it is enacted that the confirmation of existing suffraganeatus, as also the restoration of those of Treves and Cologne, shall be per- formed in the usual manner (" servatis consuetis formis de episcopatu titulari in partibus infideUum"). This consecration differs from that of the other bishops only in making the recipient simply an adjunct of the regu- larly located bishops, without separate jurisdiction. When they confer orders without the consent of their bishops, or otherwise overstep their duties, they are punished by being suspended for one year. The ejns- copi in partibus, as simple titular bishops, are revocable papal delegates. So also when they are missionary bishops. Suffragan bishops are in a more secure posi- tion, "cum assuetae congruiE adsignatione provideatur," as says the bull De salute. See A. H. Andreucci, De episcopo titulai-iseu in j^artibus infidelium (Rom. 1732); Thomassin, Vetus ac nova ecclesice disciplina de beneficiis, pt. i, lib. i, cap. xxvii, xxviii ; F. A. DUrr, De svffraga- neis seu vicariis in pontificalibus episcop. German. (Mo- gimt. 1782) ; J. H. Heister, Suffraganei Colonienses ex- traordinarii sive de sacrce Colon, ecclesiw pro episcopis, etc. (Mogunt. 1843).— Herzog, Real-Encyklop. iv, 103.
Inquisition (Ixquisitio h^eketic^. Sanctum Of- ficium) is the name given to a tribunal of the Roman Catliolic Cluirch, whose function is to seek out and pun- ish heretics and imbelievers. It is a degenerated and perverse form of the old Church discipline, originalh- in the hands of the rural bishops, on whom devolved tlie duty of checking false doctrines, and who, for the purpose of spying out rising heresies, made frequent visits to the churches of their diocese. Upon such heretics, when discovered, thej- inflicted several punishments, the se- verest of which, however, was only excommunication. Another punishment frequently resorted to was banish- ment; but capital punishment on account of one's faith was not inflicted by Christians until the 4tli century. The first instance of legally enforcing the death-penalty against Christians occurred under the emperor Theodo- sius the Great (382), who opposed and aimed at uproot-' ing all heres}% especially that of Manichaism (Schaff, Ch. Hist, ii, 141 scj.). Under this emperor, and under Justinian, judges (inquisitores) Avere first appointed to examine heretics with a view to enforcing upon them punishments, if found guilty ; and, in order to enable the ecclesiastical officers to execute their functions, the civil authorities surrendered for this purpose to the bishojis the right of exercising the requisite jurisdiction in their several dioceses. IMost freipiently the ban only was pro- nounced by the ecclesiastics, leaving it to the civil offi- cers to add other and more severe punishments. In the 8th century the rights of the ecclesiastics in extermina- ting heresy were put on a firmer basis by synodal courts, but it was not until the 12th centurj' that it became a general institution in the Christian Church.
Establishment of the Inquisition in France. — At tha
INQUISITIOX
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INQUISITION