New Knoxville Cathedral

The new Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was dedicated in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2018.

Both pictures are from the Cathedral's website.

These pictures were taken by me.

Italy—2

This is the second of six blogs on Italy.  This blog covers seven Catholic ecclesiastic provinces in Southern Italy.

Province of Benevento

The province consists of the northeastern part of the civil administrative region of Campania.  The Diocese of Benevento was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 969.

The Cathedral of Mary Assumed into Heaven in Benevento dates to the early 7^th Century, but was mostly destroyed during the Second World War.  The Cathedral was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s but was able to retain the 13^th Century white marble façade, the crypt of the original building, some 14^th Century frescos, an early 14^th Century statue of St. Bartholomew, and some 18^th Century artworks.

Sources:  Snipview, TripAdvisor, and the last two are Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Archdiocese of Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi-Conza-Nusco-Bisaccia began as the Diocese of Conza in the 8^th Century and became an archdiocese in the 11^th Century.  It acquired its current title in 1986 with the suppression of three dioceses.
• The Diocese of Avellino was established in the 2^nd Century.
• The Diocese of Cerreto Sannita-Telese-Sant’Agata de’ Goti began as the Diocese of Telese in 460 and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Sant’Agata de’ Goti.
• The Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia was established as the Diocese of Ariano in the 11^th Century and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Lacedonia.
• The Territory Abbacy of Montevergine was established in 1126.

Province of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno

The province consists of the southern part of the civil administrative region of Campania.  The Diocese of Salerno was created in the 6^th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 983.  It acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of two dioceses.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and St. Matthew in Salerno was built in the 11^th Century, but was almost completed rebuilt in the 17^th Century due to an earthquake.  The Cathedral Basilica was built using Baroque and Rococo styles.  Repairs were again made after the Second World War.  The Cathedral Basilica contains the tombs of St. Matthew the Apostle and Pope Gregory VII.  The church has a 12^th Century 185-foot tall bell tower and 12^th Century mosaics as well as a 14^th Century Madonna with Child.  The church has been considered a minor basilica for centuries.

The top two pictures are from Wikipedia.  The bottom pictures are of the Tomb of St. Matthew the Apostle.  The first is from TripAdvisor and the second is from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Campagna.  The Co-Cathedral occupies the upper level of the church.  The church was built between 1634 and 1750 and has a 7-story bell tower.  The building once featured a Baroque interior, but most of the decorative nature of the cathedral was taken out in the 1960s.  The Co-Cathedral does have a 15^th Century stone statue and a 16^th Century wood statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace as well as several paintings, some dating to the 18^th Century.  Pope Pius XI designated the Co-Cathedral as a minor basilica in 1925.  The lower level of the building was once the Cathedral, but is now a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Carmel.

From Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Donatus (of Arezzo) in Acerno was built in the 16^th Century on the site of a 5^th Century Cathedral.  The church was heavily damaged by an earthquake and fire in 1980, but has been restored.  The Co-Cathedral features 18^th Century frescoes and a four-story bell tower topped with an onion dome.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Archdiocese of Amalfi-Cava de’ Tirreni began as the Diocese of Amalfi in 590 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Amalfi in 987.  It was demoted to an archdiocese in 1818 and acquired its current name in 1986.  Amalfi’s Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle contains the tomb of St. Andrew, although a Greek Orthodox cathedral in Patras, Greece, and St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, also claim some of St. Andrew’s remains.
• The Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno was established as the Diocese of Noceria in the 3^rd Century.  It was suppressed in 1260, restored in 1384, suppressed again in 1818, and restored again in 1833.  It acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Sarno.
• The Diocese of Vallo della Lucania began as the Diocese of Paestum in 592 and acquired its current name in 1986.
• The Diocese of Teggiano-Policastro was established in 1850 as the Diocese of Diano-Teggiano and acquired its current name in 1986.
• The Territorial Abbacy of Santissima Trinita di Cava de’ Terreni was established in 1394.

Province of Naples

The province consists of the northwestern part of the civil administrative region of Campania.  The Diocese of Naples was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in the 10^th Century.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples was built in the 14^th Century in several architectural styles.  The Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro (or St. Januarius) contains two phials of the saint’s blood, which liquefy on three religious occasions each year.  The Cathedral contains a painting of the Assumption by Pietro Perugino and the Gothic Minutolo Chapel which has 14^th Century frescoed walls and a 13^th Century mosaic floor.

The first picture is from Flickr and the others are from Wikipedia.

The Province has twelve suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Archdiocese of Capua began as the Diocese of Auch in the 2^nd Century.  It became a metropolitan archdiocese in 966 before being demoted to an archdiocese in 1979.
• The Archdiocese of Sorrento-Castellammare di Stabia began as the Diocese of Sorrento in 490 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1068.  It was demoted to an archdiocese in 1979 and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of a neighboring diocese.
• The Diocese of Pozzuoli was established in the 1^st Century.
• The Diocese of Nola was established in the 2^nd Century. 
• The Diocese of Teano-Calvi was established in 5^th Century and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Calvi.
• The Diocese of Alife-Caiazzo was established in 490 as the Diocese of Alife and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of a neighboring diocese.
• The Diocese of Sessa Aurunca was established in 490.
• The Diocese of Aversa was established in 1053.
• The Diocese of Acerra was established in 1056. 
• The Diocese of Caserta was established in 1113.
• The Diocese of Ischia was established in 1179.
• The Territorial Prelature of Pompei was established in 1926.

Province of Reggio Calabria-Bova

The province consists of the southern part of the civil administrative region of Calabria.  The Diocese of Reggio Calabria was established in the 1^st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in the 11^th Century.  It acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Bova.  St. Paul founded the Church in Reggio di Calabria in 61 A.D.

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven in Reggio di Calabria was consecrated in 1928.  It replaced an earlier cathedral destroyed by an earthquake in 1908.  The Cathedral features both Romanesque and Gothic styles.  Pope Paul VI designated the cathedral as a minor basilica in 1979.  For more information, see 

cattedralereggiocalabria.it/la-cattedrale/the-cathedral-of-reggio-calabria.

The first two pictures are from the Cathedral's website and the other two are from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bova was rebuilt around 1800 in a Romanesque style, but portions are at least 1,000 years old.  Above the main altar is a marble statue of Our Blessed Mother.  The bell tower has four bells.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Locri-Gerace was established as the Diocese of Gerace in the 5^th Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
• The Diocese of Mileto-Nicotera-Tropea began as the Diocese of Mileto in 1083 and acquired its current name in 1986 to reflect the suppression of two dioceses.
• The Diocese of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi was established in the 13^th Century and acquired its current name in 1979.

Province of Potenza-Muro Lucano-Marsico Nuovo

The province consists of the civil administrative region of Basilicata.  The Diocese of Potenza was created in 490 and became an archdiocese in 1973.  It was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1976 and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of two dioceses.

The neo-classical Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption and St. Gerardo in Potenza was built in the 18^th Century to replace prior structures dating at least to the 6^th Century.  The stone bell tower remains from the church built in the 13^th Century.  The Cathedral has frescoes that were painted in the early 20^th Century and the dome has frescoes depicting St. Gerardo.  Pope John Paul II designated it as a minor basilica in 1980.

The first picture is from TripAdvisor and the others are from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. George in Marsico Nuovo was built in the late 19^th Century to replace earlier cathedrals dating to the 12^th Century.  The main door to the church dates to the 16^th Century and has an 18^th Century relief of the Virgin Mary.  The interior features a 13^th Century Madonna and a 17^th Century pulpit and choir.

From Panaramio.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Muro Lucano was built in the early 11^th Century, but was heavily damaged by a 1980 earthquake. Restoration is ongoing.  

From TripAdvisor.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Archdiocese of Acerenza as a diocese in the 4^th Century and became an archdiocese in 1059.  It was demoted to a diocese in 1976 before being promoted again to an archdiocese in 1977.
• The Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina began as the Diocese of Matera in the 9^th Century.  It was suppressed in 1082 and was restored as an archdiocese in 1203.  It was once again suppressed in 1818 before being restored in 1822.  It became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1954, was demoted to a diocese in 1976, and was restored as an archdiocese in 1977. 
• The Diocese of Tricarico was established in the 11^th Century.
• The Diocese of Melfi was established in 1050 and was renamed the Diocese of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa in 1986 with the suppression of two other dioceses. 
• The Diocese of Anglona was created in the 11^th Century and became the Diocese of Tursi-Lagonegro in 1976.

Province of Catanzaro-Squillace

The province consists of the northern part of the civil administrative region of Calabria.  The Diocese of Catanzaro was established in 1121, became an archdiocese in 1927, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 2001.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saints Peter and Paul in Cantanzaro was originally built as a Norman cathedral in 1121.  It was heavily damaged in 1943 but has been rebuilt.  The pipe organ was built by the Ruffatti Brotheers in 1959.

From TripAdvisor and Wikipedia.

The Basilica and Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Squillace was designated a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2014.

From TripAdvisor and Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Archdiocese of Crotone-Santa Severina began as the Diocese of Crotone in 550 and became an archdiocese in 1986 under its current name.
• The Diocese of Lamezia Terme was established in the 6^th Century as the Diocese of Nicastro and acquired its current name in 1986. 

Province of Cosenza-Bisignano

The province consists of the northern part of the civil administrative region of Calabria.  The Diocese of Cosenza was established in the 7^th Century, became an archdiocese in 1059, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1150.  It was demoted to an archdiocese in 1818 and once again became a metropolitan archdiocese in 2001.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Cosenza was built in the 12^th and 13^th Centuries, but was largely destroyed by earthquakes.  It was rebuilt in a baroque style in the 18^th Century.  A chapel contains a 13^th Century Byzantine Madonna.

From TripAdvisor and Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bisignano was built be the Normans and dates at least to the 12^th Century.  The Co-Cathedral has paintings by Emilio Jusi, an 800-year old baptismal font, and a triptych with the Madonna, St. John, and St. Nicholas.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Archdiocese of Rossano-Cariati began as the Diocese of Rossano in the 7^th Century.  It became an archdiocese in 1460 and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Cariati.
• The Diocese of Cassano all’Jonio was established in the 5^th Century. 
• The Diocese of San Marco Argentano-Scalea was established in 1179 as the Diocese of San Marco.  It acquired its current name in 1979. 

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also archdioceses that are not part of a province that are directly under the jurisdiction of the Pope.  There are also jurisdictions below the level of a diocese.  A territorial abbacy is a territory (not part of a diocese) in which the abbot of a monastery acts as the bishop for all Catholics in the territory.  A territorial prelature is a missionary diocese administered by a bishop or a priest below the level of a bishop.

A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.  Some cathedrals are also basilicas.  Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell.  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.

Italy—1

Italy has 62 million people and 80 percent are Catholic.  Most of the rest are either atheists or agnostics.  As evidenced by St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, there were Catholics in Italy shortly after the time of Christ.  St. Peter established the papacy in Rome in the mid-1^st Century and many of the Church’s greatest saints have been Italian.  Roman churches claim to have the remains of several apostles and evangelists, including Peter, Paul, Philip, Bartholomew, James the less, Simon, Jude, Andrew, and Luke.

Italy has the Papal See (the Diocese of Rome), a patriarchate (Venice), and 40 ecclesiastical provinces.  In addition, the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei and the Italian military diocese are directly subject to the Pope.

There are also Eastern-rite dioceses in Italy.  There are three jurisdictions to serve 55,000 Italo-Albanese Rite Catholics in Italy:  the Diocese of Lungro in Calabria (established in 1919), the Diocese of Piana degli Albanesi in Sicily (established in 1937), and the Territorial Abbacy of Santa Maria di Grottaferrata in Lazio (established in 1937).  There is also the Ukrainian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Italy that was established in 2019 and is immediately subject to the Pope.  Most Catholics in the world belong to the Latin or Roman rite.  Rite refers to liturgical practices, ecclesiastical discipline, and spiritual heritage.  Many Catholics belong to one of two dozen Eastern rite churches.  Eastern rite churches trace their heritage to Eastern Europe and the Middle East.  Eastern rite churches sometimes use different terminologies.  For example, a diocese might be called an eparchy and is led by an eparch.  A vicariate apostolic is called an exarchy (or exarchate) and is led by an exarch. 

This is the first of six blogs on Italy.  This blog covers eight Catholic ecclesiastic provinces in Sicily and Sardinia.

Province of Palermo

The province consists of northwestern Sicily.  The Diocese of Palermo was established in the 1^st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1065.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Palermo began construction in 1185 and construction continued for 700 years.  It was built using several different architectural styles and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The Cathedral is the burial place of several Norman kings and Holy Roman emperors.  See cattedrale.palermo.it.

The first picture is from the Cathedral website and the others are from Wikipedia.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Archdiocese of Monreale began as a diocese in 1176.  It became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1183 before being demoted to an archdiocese in 2000.
• The Diocese of Mazara del Vallo was established in 1093.
• The Diocese of Cefalu was established in 680, was suppressed in 870, and restored in 1131. 
• The Diocese of Trapani was established in 1844.

Province of Cagliari

The province consists of southern and eastern Sardinia.  The Diocese of Cagliari was established in the 4^th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in the 11^th Century.

The Cathedral of St. Mary in Cagliari was built in the 13^th Century in a Romanesque style, although later renovations have added Baroque and Neoclassical styles.  The Cathedral features a pair of pulpits made by Guglielmo of Pisa in the 12^th Century, a 15^th Century Flemish triptych, a mausoleum for King Martin I of Sicily, and a Sanctuary of Martyrs containing the relics of 292 martyrs.  See duomodicagliari.it.

First four pictures are from the Cathedral website and the other two are from Wikipedia.

The Romanesque Co-Cathedral of St. Pantaleon (an early Christian martyr) in Dolianova was built in the 12^th and 13^th Centuries.  It was built with sandstone.

Both are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Iglesias was established in 1763.
• The Diocese of Nuoro was established in 1779.
• The Diocese of Lanusei was established in 1824 and acquired its current name in 1986. 

Province of Sassari

The province consists of northwestern Sardinia.  The Diocese of Torres was established in the 5^th Century, but was suppressed in 743.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Torres in 1073 and acquired its current name in 1441.  Construction of the Cathedral of St. Nicolas of Bari in Sassari began in the 12^th Century and continued until the 18^th Century.  The Cathedral was built using Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles.

All are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Tempio-Ampurias was created in the 12^th Century.
• The Diocese of Alghero-Bosa was established in 1503 as the Diocese of Alghero and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of the Diocese of Bosa.
• The Diocese of Ozieri was established in 1804.

Province of Oristano

The province consists of west central Sardinia.  The Diocese of Tharros was created in 599 and this became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Oristano in 1073.  The Baroque Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Oristano was built in the 12^th Century.

Pictures are from Snipview, TripAdvisor, and Wikipedia.

The Province has one suffragan diocese.

• The Diocese of Ales-Terralba was established in the 7^th Century as the Diocese of Uselli.  It acquired its current name in 1986.

Province of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela

The province consists of northeastern Sicily.  The Diocese of Messina was established in the 5^th Century.  It was suppressed in 880 before being restored in 1098.  It was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1166 and acquired its current name in 1986 with the suppression of a diocese and a territorial prelature.  The archdiocese has a cathedral and three co-cathedrals.

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Messina was originally built in the 12^th Century, but has sustained major damage from earthquakes and fires through the centuries.  The most recent major rebuilding followed the Second World War, which caused extensive damage to the building.  The Cathedral’s ceiling is made of painted wood in an Arab-Byzantine style and depicts Jesus, Mary, and other biblical persons.  The apses are decorated with mosaics, one of which dates to the 14^th Century.  The bell tower contains the largest astronomical clock in the world, which was built in 1933.  Pope Pius XII designated the Cathedral as a minor basilica in 1947.

From Flickr and Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of the Holy Savior in Messina was built between 1928 and 1932.  For pictures, see:

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-church-of-holy-saviour-chiesa-del-santissimo-salvatore-and-palazzo-136389899.html

The Co-Cathedral of St. Bartholomew in Lipari began as a 12^th Century monastery and was expanded in the 16^th Century.  The interior has several 18^th Century frescos depicting biblical themes and has a silver statue of St. Bartholomew.  

All from Wikipedia.

The Renaissance Co-Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Santa Lucia del Mela dates to 1094, but has been reconstructed several times due to earthquakes.  The wooden Baroque pulpit dates to the 18^th Century.  The church has many painting and frescos.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Patti was established in 1131.
• The Diocese of Nicosia was established in 1817.

Province of Syracuse

The province consists of southeastern Sicily.  The Diocese of Syracuse was established in the 2^nd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 680.  It was suppressed in 878 before being restored as a diocese in 1086.  It once again became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1844.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of Holy Mary in Syracuse dates to the 7^th Century and incorporates portions of a Greek temple.  The Cathedral was largely rebuilt in a baroque style following an earthquake in 1693.  The Cathedral has relics of St. Lucy, who was martyred in Syracuse, and is patroness of the city.  The Cathedral also has a baptismal font dating to at least the 13^th Century and a 1512 statue of the Madonna of the Snow.  The Cathedral is a world heritage site.  

All from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Noto was established in 1844.
• The Diocese of Ragusa was established in 1955. 

Province of Agrigento

The province consists of southwestern Sicily.  The Diocese of Agrigento was established in the 1^st Century, but was suppressed in 835.  It was restored in 1088 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 2000.  The Archdiocese has a cathedral and two co-cathedrals.

The Cathedral of St. Gerland (the bishop who built the Cathedral) in Agrigento is a Romanesque church originally consecrated in 1099.  The Cathedral has been enlarged and remodeled several times.  The bell tower and a marble Madonna and Child date to the 15^th Century.  See cattedraleagrigento.com.

Top picture is from Panaramio, the others are from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Croce is in Villaseta.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Dominic in Agrigento dates to the 17^th Century.  The church is 170 feet long and 43 feet wide.  There are several paintings dating to around 1700.

From Pinterest

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Piazza Armerina was established in 1817.
• The Diocese of Caltanissetta was established in 1844.

Province of Catania

The province consists of east central Sicily.  The Diocese of Catania was created in the 1^st Century, but was suppressed in 880.  It was restored in 1092, raised to an archdiocese in 1859, and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 2000.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Agatha in Catania was originally built in the 11^th Century often using stones from Roman ruins, but was mostly destroyed by earthquakes and fires.  Most of the Cathedral dates to an 18^th Century renovation done in a Baroque style.  The main door has 32 wood sculpted plaques depicting the life of St. Agatha.  (St. Agatha was martyred in Cantania and is buried in another church in the city.)  The interior features a chapel dedicated to St. Agatha, tombs of Sicilian kings, and 17^th Century paintings of saints.  Pope Pius XI designated the church as a minor basilica in 1926.  It is also a world heritage site.

Both are from Wikipedia.  The bottom picture is of St. Agatha's Chapel.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Caltagirone was established in 1816.
• The Diocese of Acireale was established in 1844.

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also archdioceses that are not part of a province that are directly under the jurisdiction of the Pope. 

A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.  Some cathedrals are also basilicas.  Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell.  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.