BARRIO Y FERNÁNDEZ, Mariano. - Cardinal, b. at Jaca on 21 Nov. 1805, d. at Valenza on 26 Nov. 1876. Professor of canon law at the University of Huesca, he was named in 1847 Bishop of Cartagena-Murcia and in 1861 Archbishop of Valenza. He proved himself an active defender of the interests of his country and a zealous advocate of the rights of Catholics and of the papacy. He protested against the oath imposed on the clergy by the constitution of 1869 until Rome itself accepted it, albeit officially. Also well known is his letter on *La unidad católica*, following the constitution of 1876, which approved freedom of worship. Pius IX created him cardinal on 22 Dec. 1874.
Bibl.: J. Coignet, s. V. in DHG, VI, cols. 928. Gabriella de Stefano