"In Partibus Infidelium"
(Often shortened to in partibus, or abbreviated as
i.p.i.).
A term meaning "in the lands of the unbelievers," words
added to the name of the see conferred on non-
residential or titular Latin bishops, for example:
"John Doe, Bishop of Tyre in partibus infidelium.
Formerly, when bishops were forced to flee before the
invading infidel hordes, they were welcomed by other
Churches, while preserving their titles and their
rights to their own dioceses. They were even entrusted
with the administration of vacant sees. Thus we find
St. Gregory appointing John, Bishop of Alessio, who had
been expelled by his enemies, to the See of Squilace
(cap. "Pastoralis," xliii, caus. vii, q. 1). In later
days it was deemed fitting to preserve the memory of
ancient Christian Churches that had fallen into the
hands of the unbelievers; this was done by giving their
names to auxiliary bishops or bishops in missionary
countries.
Fagnani (in cap. "Episcopalia," i, "De privilegiis")
says that the regular appointment of titular bishops
dates back only to the time of the Twelfth Lateran
Council under Leo X (Session IX); cardinals alone were
authorized to ask for them for the dioceses. St. Pius V
extended the privilege to the sees in which it was
customary to have auxiliary bishops. Since then the
practice became more widespread. The Sacred
Congregation of the Propaganda, by its circular letter
of 3 March, 1882, abolished the expression in partibus
infidelium; the present custom is to join to the name
of the see that of the district to which it formerly
belonged, e.g. "John Doe, Archiepiscopus Corinthius in
Achai�," or else merely to say "titular bishop" (see
BISHOP).
A. BOUDINHON Transcribed by Michael C. Tinkler
[New Advent Catholic Website]
http://www.knight.org/advent
From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright � 1913 by the
Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright �
1996 by New Advent, Inc., P.O. Box 281096, Denver,
Colorado, USA, 80228. (
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