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.