in the diocese of breslau there existed an institution known as the "secret chancery" ("geheimkanzlei"), which expedited only matters decided by the prince-bishop personally or with the advice of this body. the prince-bishop presided over its sessions with the help of the vicar-general. its members were three priests and one lay counsellor to whom were added a secretary, a chief of the chancery, two private secretaries, a registrar, etc. the ordinary diocesan administration were carried on by two other bureaus, the vicariate-general and the diocesan consistory, mutually independent, but both acting in the name of the prince-bishop.