<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>consent.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
<TEXT>
                                                                      Exhibit 23








            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACOCUNTING FIRM
            --------------------------------------------------------




We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-32439) of Old Republic  International  Corporation
of our report dated June 28, 2004  relating to the  financial  statements of the
Bituminous  401(k)  Savings  Plan,  which appears in this Form 11-K (as filed on
Form 10-K/A).


                                                /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Chicago, Illinois
June 28, 2004

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
