In the south, yes. You see, the Imperium (my homeland) interprets the Chant of Light's line 'magic exists to serve man' to mean that mages are to rule over others, that we must devote our lives to public service because we have the powers that allow us to serve. Mages have the most power, inevitably, and our Circles of Magi are highly respected institutions of learning.
However, southern nations such as Orlais and Ferelden believe 'magic exists to serve man' to mean that magic must be controlled and regulated. Their 'Circles' are often little more than prisons where mages are kept under lock and key and while they're educated in the ways of magic they're essentially captives. Mages outside of a Circle are considered apostates and often hunted and imprisoned, if not outright killed.
So, naturally, our Chantry and their Chantry have had a bit of a falling out. We have our Divine, they have their Divine, who ironically happens to be a rather good friend of mine.
It's vandal aria and the finest Tevinter spices, I wouldn't expect you to appreciate it.