The Council of Trent speaks of them as the '_Senatus Ecclesiae_,' the Senate of the Church, and they then formed the necessary Council of the Bishop.

In these days the prelates do not even consult them.
"They only exercise a small part of their lost prerogatives when the See is vacant.

At that time the Chapter acts in the place of the Bishop, and even then its rights are greatly restricted.

As it has not Episcopal Orders, it can exercise none of the powers inherent in them.

It cannot consequently ordain or confirm." "And if the See remains long vacant ?" "Then the Chapter requests the Bishop of a neighbouring diocese to ordain its seminarists, and confirm the children it presents to him.