The Diocese of Ascoli Piceno (Latin: Dioecesis Asculanus in Piceno) is a Latindiocese of the Catholic Church in the Marche. It has existed since the fourth century. Historically immediately dependent on the Holy See, it is now a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Fermo.[1][2] There is, in 2015, one priest for every 1,074 Catholics.
History
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The traces of this bishopric appear in the fourth century with St. Emidius, martyred under Diocletian, c. 303; and Claudius, who was allegedly present at the Synod of Rimini in 359, when the Arian heresy was rejected.[3] In the fifth century, Lucentius, who is said to have been present at the Synod of Milan, which sent its synodal letter to Pope Leo I (440-461), was bishop of Ascoli.[4] One of its bishops, Giulio de' Medici, afterwards became Pope Clement VII (1523–1534).[5]
On 11 March 2000, Pope John Paul II raised the bishopric of Pesaro to the rank of metropolitan archbishopric, and created the new ecclesiastical province of Picenum. Ascoli, which had always been directly subject to the Holy See, was assigned to the province of Picenum and placed under the supervision of the archbishop of Pesaro.[6]
Cathedral and Chapter
The beginnings of the cathedral are attributed archaeologically to the 5th or 6th century.[7]
The cathedral was administered by a corporate body called the Chapter. At Ascoli, the chapter originally consisted of twelve Canons, presided over by the Archdeacon. By 1179, there was also the Archpriest.[8] Subsequently there were three additional dignities (dignitates): the Provost, the Primicerius, and the Mansionarius. After the Council of Trent there was also a Penitentiarius and a Theologus. There were also six (later nine) mansionarii, who saw to the daily operations of the cathedral church, though they were not voting members of the Chapter.[9] In 1737, there were six dignities and fourteen Canons.[10] The Chapter had the right to elect the bishop, and, when a vacancy occurred in the Chapter, the right to elect a successor.[11]
The election of 1284–1285
Bishop Raynaldus died in September 1284.[12] A meeting was summoned for all persons concerned. The Archdeacon and Chapter decided to proceed to an election by scrutiny.[13] Three scrutators were chosen, to collect, read, and make public the votes of the Canons. When the votes were announced, six of the twelve Canons had voted for Bonusjoannes, one (Bonusjoannes himself) had voted for Canon Azo, and four Canons had refused to cast a vote for anyone. One of the scrutators, in his own name and in the name of those who had voted for Bonusjoannes, proclaimed him Bishop of Ascoli, and Bonusjoannes accepted his election.
Bonusjoannes then proceeded to Rome to obtain papal approval for his election from Pope Martin IV. There one of the four Canons who had not voted, Abamons by name, contested the election. The Pope therefore handed the case over to Cardinal Giordano Orsini for examination. Orsini cited the persons concerned to appear in open court, and the issue was joined between Bonusjoannes and Abamons. In the event, nothing was produced by Abamons against Bonusjoannes personally or against the electoral proceedings, and therefore Cardinal Orsini, having followed all of the requirements of the law, found in favor of Bonusjoannes. Procurators of Abamons, specially appointed for the purpose, then withdrew his objections to the election. Bonusjoannes was then examined as to his character and qualifications by a committee of cardinals, Latino Malabranca Orsini (Bishop of Ostia), Comes Giusianus (Cardinal Priest of SS. Marcellinus and Petrus), and Cardinal Giordano Orsini (Cardinal Deacon of S. Eustachio), who found electionem ipsam ... de persona ydonea canonice celebratum. Pope Martin then, with the consent of the College of Cardinals, named Bonusjoannes Bishop of Ascoli, and instructed Cardinal Latino Malabranca Orsini to consecrate him a bishop.
Unfortunately, before the bulls of approval and consecration could be issued, Pope Martin died, on 28 March 1285. Pope Honorius IV (Giacomo Savelli) was elected on 2 April 1285. Finally, on 13 December 1285, new bulls were issued for the Bishop-elect, and Pope Honorius granted him the administration of his Church.[14]
Diocesan synods
A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.[15]
Bishop Pietro Camaiani (1566–1579) presided over a diocesan synod in Ascoli on 22 April 1568.[16]
A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Sigismondo Donati (1605–1641) on 19—21 November 1626.[17] Cardinal Giulio Gabrielli (1642–1668) held a diocesan synod in 1649.[18] Bishop Philippo Monti held a diocesan synod on 7—9 November 1677, and published its constitutions, as well as those of his predecessors Girolamo Berneri, Giulio Gabrielli, and Sigismondo Donati.[19] A diocesan synod was held on 12—14 September 1688 by Bishop Giuseppe Sallustio Fadulfi (1685–1699).[20]
Bishop Giovanni Gambi (1710–1726) held a diocesan synod in the cathedral on 15—17 May 1718.[21] A diocesan synod was held in 1765 by Bishop Pietro Paolo Leonardi (1755–1792)[22]
Bishop Bartolomeo Ortolani (1877–1910) presided over a diocesan synod held in the cathedral on 28—30 October 1903.[23]
^Cf. Lanzoni, p. 399, who doubts that the Claudius at Rimini was a bishop of Ascoli: "Il vescovo piceno Claudio, di cui sopra, intervenuto
al conciliabolo di Rimini, fu attribuito senza alcun fondamento alla diocesi di Ascoli."
^The claim is made by Ernesto Buonaiuti, but neither the name Lucentius nor the bishopric of Ascoli is mentioned in the subscription list of the Synod of Milan of 451. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus VI (Venice: A. Zatta 1759), pp. 142-144.
^Ernesto Buonaiuti (1907), "Ascoli-Piceno,"The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 1 (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907); retrieved: 25 Apr. 2019.
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis Vol. 92 (Città del Vaticano: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 2000), pp. 568-569. (in Latin)
^The Archdeacon and the Archpriest and the Canonici are addressed by Pope Alexander III in a bull which grants them the protection of the Holy See, and confirms all their rights and privileges, as well as their corporate possessions. Cappelletti, p. 714.
^Constitutiones ed Decreta synodalia asculanae Dioecesis anno 1649 et Episcoporum Ecclesiae asculanae catalogus (Asculi: Salvioni 1649).
^Constitutiones | synodales | ab illustriss. et reverendiss. I d. d. Philippo Montio | episcopo et principe asculano, in sua prima dioecesana Synodo (Ascoli: Typis impressorum episcopalium 1678).
^Asculanae ecclesiae in Piceno synodus dioecesana ab illustrissimo ac reverendissimo Domino Bartholomaeo Ortolani episcopo et principe Asculano, habita in cathedrali basilica, diebus XXVIII, XXIX, XXX Octobris an. MCMIII (Asculi-Piceni: Cesari 1903).
^There is no proof that Claudius was a bishop of Ascoli. Lanzoni, p. 398. Cappelletti, pp. 679-680.
^The statement that Bishop Lucentius of Ascoli was a legate of Pope Leo I to the Council of Chalcedon in 451 has been challenged. Some manuscripts list him as bishop of Heraclensis ecclesia, both in Latin and Greek; in one manuscript he is episcopus Arculanensis. Cappelletti, pp. 680-681. Lanzoni, p. 399.
^Quintianus was present at a Council of Constantinople, but he was not bishop of Ascoli, episcopus Asculanorum, but episcopus Arculianorum, or perhaps episcopus Erculianorum (Syria). Cappelletti, p. 681. Lanzoni, p. 399.
^Epiphanius was a bishop in 535-536, not of Asculum, but of Aeclinum. Cappelletti, p. 681. Lanzoni, p. 399.
^Picco (Riccone di Pico): Marcucci, p. 212, says he was French in origin, and consecrated by Pope Paschal I (817–824) in 822. Cappelletti, p. 685. Gams, p. 667 column 1.
^Teuderandus (sometimes called Wenderandus) was unable to attend the Roman synod of Pope Leo IV in 853, but sent his priest Walderanus to represent him. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta 1759), p. 1021. Marcucci, p. 213-214. Cappelletti, p. 685.
^Bishop Arpaldus was summoned to attend the Roman synod of Pope John VIII in 879. When he failed to attend, he received a letter of rebuke from the Pope, and was summoned to the Roman Curia. Cappelletti, pp. 685-686. Kehr, Italia pontificia IV, p. 149, nos. 2–3.
^Adam had been Abbot of Farfa, temporarily in 983, and permanently in 985. Schwartz, p. 225.
^Hugo's bishopric depends upon a conjecture by Muratori. Schwartz, p. 225.
^Emmo was consecrated in 1006 by Pope John XIX, according to Marcucci. Bishop Emino attended the Roman synod of Pope Benedict VIII in 1015. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIX (Venice: A. Zatta 1764), p. 363. Marcucci, p. 217-218. Cappelletti, p. 691. Schwartz, p. 226.
^On 18 June 1052, Pope Leo IX confirmed to Bishop Bernardus the possessions of the Church of Ascoli. Ber(n)ard attended the Roman synod of Pope Nicholas II in 1059. Mansi, Tomus XIX, p. 911-912. Ughelli, pp. 445-451. Cappelletti, pp. 694-705. Kehr, IV, p. 149 no. 6. Schwartz, p. 226.
^Bishop Presbyter is recorded at the dedication of a church in Ascoli milleno (1000) centeno (100) quinto (5) bisque triceno (60). Ughelli, p. 451-455. Cappelletti, pp. 705-713.
^Trasmundus had been Archpriest of the cathedral Chapter of Ascoli. Ughelli, pp. 455-456. Cappelletti, pp. 713-716.
^Giso is mentioned as deceased in a document of 1192. Philippus Jaffé & S. Loewenfeld, Regesta pontificum Romanorum editio secunda, Tomus secundus (Leipzig: Veit 1888), p. 594, no. 16942. Marcucci, p. 227. Cappelletti, p. 716.
^Cappelletti, p. 728, notes that on 9 August 1203, the See of Ascoli was vacant.
^Rainaldus Cappelletti, Le chiese d'Italia VII, p. 728. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 111.
^Petrus was a Canon of the cathedral Chapter. On 27 October 1209 the Emperor Otto IV confirmed his episcopal possessions. In 1214, Ascoli was subjected to an apostolic visitation by Cardinal Ugolino dei Conti. He died in 1222. Marcucci, p. 237. Cappelletti, pp. 728-732. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 111.
^On 31 May 1222, Bishop Altegrunus granted privileges to the abbess of the monastery of S. Angelo Magno. Cappelletti, p. 732. Eubel, I, p. 111.
^Nicolaus was consecrated a bishop by Pope Honorius III in 1224. Eubel, I, p. 111 n. 1.
^Marcellinus was transferred to the diocese of Arezzo on 16 August 1236 by Pope Gregory IX. In 1237 he was papal Legate in Lombardy. He was named Rector of the March of Ancona on 26 August 1243. He died in June 1248. Cappelletti, pp. 733-734. Eubel I, pp. 104 with note 2; 111 with note 2;
^His election was confirmed on 12 February 1259 by Pope Alexander IV. He died in September 1284, according to Marcucci, p. 261. Cappelletti, pp. 737-742 (who maes Rainaldus a Benedictine). Eubel, I, p. 111.
^A native of Perugia, Bonisengia had been a Canon of Ravenna. He was approved as Bishop of Ascoli by Pope Clement V on 9 May 1312 (Marcucci gives the date as 15 May 1312). According to Marcucci he died in 1316. Marcucci, pp. 269-270. Ughelli, p. 466. Eubel, I, p. 111.
^Rainaldus had been Canon subdeacon of the cathedral. He was elected at the beginning of spring 1317, and confirmed by Pope John XXII on 25 June 1317. He died in March 1343, according to Marcucci. Marcucci, pp. 270, 278.
^Isaac Bindi was confirmed on 24 April 1344. On 10 May 1353 he was transferred to the diocese of Aquila. Marcucci, pp. 278-282. Eubel I, pp. 98, 111.
^Isaac (de castro Arciano) was transferred back from the diocese of Aquila by Pope Innocent VI on 15 January 1356. He died on 7 July 1338. Marcucci, pp. 283-284. Cappelletti, p. 755. Eubel I, p. 98, 111.
^A native of Milan, Henricus (Errico) held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure, and was Archpriest of Milan. He had been bishop-elect of Pesaro (from 21 August 1357). He was transferred to Ascoli by Pope Innocent VI on 12 October 1358. He was transferred to the diocese of Brescia on 19 December 1362. Then, on 22 October 1369 he was transferred by Pope Urban V to the diocese of Como. He died on 19 June 1380. Marcucci, pp. 284-286. Cappelletti, p. 755 (who believed that Henricus died in 1362). Eubel I, pp. 111, 147, 217, 395.
^Fra Vitale had been Master General of the Servite Order. He was appointed Bishop of Ascoli on 19 December 1362. He was transferred to the diocese of Chieti on 21 July 1363, after only seven months as Bishop of Ascoli. He died in 1373. Marcucci, p. 286. Eubel I, pp. 111, 481.
^A member of the leading Roman family, Agapitus had been Archdeacon of Bologna. He was appointed Bishop of Ascoli on 21 July 1363. From 1365 to 1369 he was papal Legate in Germany. He was transferred to the diocese of Brescia on 22 October 1369 by Pope Urban V. Cappelletti, p. 726. Eubel, I, pp. 111, 147.
^Pietro Toricelli held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure, was a chaplain of Pope Gregory XI, and was Auditor causarum sacri palatii. He was appointed by Pope Gregory XI on 20 December 1374, and occupied the See of Ascoli for about ten years. It is not known were his allegiance lay in the Great Western Schism, which began in 1378. Marcucci, p. 299, says that Torricelli died in 1385, or perhaps 1386. Ughelli, p. 467. Cappelletti, p. 757. Eubel I, p. 111.
^Antonius had been Vicar General of Montecassino, and then Bishop of Aquino, appointed by Urban VI (Roman Obedience) in 1380. He was transferred to Ascoli by Urban VI on 6 February 1387. He held a diocesan synod in 1388. He was transferred to the diocese of Arezzo on 10 October 1390. Cappelletti, p. 757. Eubel, I, pp. 100, 104, 111.
^Still only bishop-elect, Pierleoni was transferred to the diocese of Jesi on 12 July 1391. Gams, p. 668 column 1. Eubel I, p. 111.
^A native of Ascoli, Benedictus (Pasquarelli) had been a follower of Clement VII (Avignon Obedience), who appointed him Bishop of Acerno in 1389. Following the death of Clement VII and Urban VI (Roman Obedience), however, he made his peace with Boniface IX, who named him bishop of Castellaneta (1396–1398). On 6 April 1398 he was transferred to the diocese of Ascoli. In 1399 he returned to the diocese of Castellaneta. Marcucci, pp. 305-308. Eubel I, pp. 111, 172 with note 5.
^After the departure of Bishop Benedictus, Pope Boniface IX transferred Archeonti from the diocese of Arezzo back to the diocese of Ascoli, where he had been bishop from 1387 to 1390. He was appointed a cardinal by Pope Innocent VII on 12 June 1405. He died in Rome on 21 July 1405, and was buried in Santa Maria Maggiore. Cappelletti, p. 758. Eubel, I, pp. 26 no. 7; 111.
^A native of Sulmona, Leonardo was a Doctor of Canon Law, and had been papal Referendary and papal chamberlain; he was Archdeacon of Lisbon and Provost of Valva. He was named Bishop of Ascoli on 12 June 1405, but was never installed. He was still bishop-elect when he was transferred to the diocese of Fermo on 22 January 1406. Marcucci, p. 308. Cappelletti, p. 758. Eubel I, pp. 111 with note 10; 250.
^Joannes Firmani (Grimaldi) had previously been Bishop of Senigallia (1388–1394), then Bishop of Savona (1394–1405). He was transferred to the diocese of Ascoli by Pope Innocent VII on 22 January 1406. On 12 July 1411, Pope Gregory XII (deposed by the Council of Pisa in May 1409) instituted proceedings to depose Joannes Firmani from the bishopric of Ascoli, on the grounds that he was a supporter of John XIII. He was appointed Bishop of Fermo by John XXIII on 20 June 1412. Eubel I, pp. 111 with note 10; 250; 434; 447.
^Vanni's brother was chamberlain of King Ladislaus of Naples. Cappelletti, pp. 758-759. Gams, p. 668 column 1. Eubel I, p. 111.
^Petrus had been Bishop of Ancona (1412–1419), an appointee of John XXIII. He was transferred to Ascoli by Pope Martin V on 11 September 1419. Cappelletti, pp. 759-761. Gams, p. 668 column 1. Eubel I, pp. 88, 111.
^A native of Florence, Alberti had previously been Bishop of Orte (1395–1420), and then Bishop of Ajaccio (1420–1422). He was appointed to Ascoli by Pope Martin V on 19 October 1422. He died in May 1438. Marcucci, pp. 312, 325. Cappelletti, pp. 761-762. Gams, p. 668 column 1. Eubel I, pp. 71, 111, 279.
^Pietro was the brother of Francesco, Duke of Insubria, and of Gabriele, Archbishop of Milan. He was appointed by Pope Eugene IV on 18 June 1438. A month later the schismatic Council of Basel appointed an intrusive bishop, Lorenzo da Rotella. In 1439 Bishop Pietro attended the Council of Florence. He died in January 1442. Marcucci, p. 325-326 (who says he died in 1443). Cappelletti, p. 762.
^Valentino of Narnia held the degree of doctor of Canon Law. He had previously been a Canon of Narni (Cappelletti says Canon of Terni), and then Bishop of Orte (1432–1443). He was transferred to the diocese of Ascoli by Pope Eugene IV on 28 January 1442. He died in April 1447. Cappelletti, p. 763. Eubel, II, pp. 96, 166 with note 3.
^Son of Count Monaldo Monaldeschi of Orvieto, Monaldeschi had previously been Bishop of Orvieto (1418–1443), and Bishop of Teramo (1443–1450). He was transferred to the diocese of Ascoli by Pope Nicholas V on 25 September 1450. He died in 1461, before mid-April. Marcucci, pp. 332, 343. Cappelletti, p. 763-764. Eubel, I, p. 509; II, pp. 90, 96.
^Pietro belonged to the noble Roman family of the Della Valle, and held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was appointed Bishop of Ascoli by Pope Pius II on 13 April 1461. He died on 12 November 1263. Cappelletti, pp. 764-765. Eubel, II, p. 96.
^A native Roman, Caffarelli was appointed Bishop of Ascoli on 11 December 1463 by Pope Pius II. He restored practically from the ground up both the episcopal palace and the cathedral. He also restored the family chapel in Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, completed in 1498. He died on 13 February 1500, according to Eubel. Cappelletti, pp. 765-767 (who says he died on 14 February). Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 96 with note 2.
^Cesarini, brother-in-law of Cesare Borgia's sister, seems never to have been consecrated a bishop.
^Monti: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 100 with note 2.
^Fadulfi: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 100 with note 3.
^Bonaventura: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 100 with note 4.
^Gambi: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 100 with note 5.
^Lauri: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 101 with note 6.
^Marana: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 101 with note 7.
^Leonardi was born in Amerino in 1714, and was the nephew of Archbishop Alessandro Borgia of Fermo (1724–1764). Leonardi held the degree Doctor in utroque iure from the University of Fermo (1739), and became Vicar General of Tolentino, and then Vicar General of Fermo. He was named Bishop of Ascoli on 17 March 1755 by Pope Benedict XIV. He died in Ascoli on 21 June 1792. Marcucci, p. 469. Cappelletti, p. 784 (who puts his death in 1791). Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 101 with note 3.
^Born in Brescia in 1731, Cardinal Archetti was appointed Bishop of Ascoli by Pope Pius VI on 1 June 1795. On 18 March 1798 he was arrested by French troops and taken to Rome, and then to Civitavecchia. He took part in the conclave of 1799–1800 in Venice. He held the diocese of Ascoli until he became Suburbicarian Bishop of Sabina on 2 April 1800, though he continued to serve as Administrator of the diocese of Ascoli until his death in Ascoli on 5 November 1805. Cappelletti, p. 784. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, pp. 34 with notes 87 and 88; 101 with note 4.
^Cappelletti was born in Reate in 1762. He had previously been Bishop of Fabriano e Metalica. He was transferred to the diocese of Ascoli on 26 August 1806. He died, according to Gams, p. 668 column 2, on 8 October 1831. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 91, places his death on 9 December 1831. Almanacco reale per l'anno bisestile MDCCCXI (in Italian). Milano: Reale Stamperia. 1811. p. 201.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Ascoli-Piceno". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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