The bishop, accordingly, has been, in law, as in fact, the sole pastor and judge of his clergy, and, except in rare cases, no external limit has been put to the exercise of his spiritual authority."] [Footnote 5236: Emile Ollivier, "L'Eglise et l'Etat au concile du Vatican," p 517 .-- Abbe Andre, ibid., PP.17, 19, 30, 280.

(Various instances, particularly the appeal of a rural cure, Feb.

8, 1866.) "The metropolitan (bishop) first remarked that he could not bring himself to condemn his suffragan." Next (Feb.20, 1866), judgment confirmed by the metropolitan court, declaring "that no reason exists for declaring exaggerated and open to reform the penalty of depriving the rector of the parish of X--of his title, a title purely conferred by and revocable at the will of the bishop."] [Footnote 5237: Emile Ollivier, ibid., II.,517, 516 .-- Abbe Andre, ibid., p.241.

"During the first half of the nineteenth century no appeal could be had from the Church of France to Rome."] [Footnote 5238: Emile Ollivier, ibid., I.p.

286 .-- Abbe Andre, ibid., p.242: "From 1803 to 1854 thirty-eight appeals under writ of error (were presented) to the Council of State by priests accused....