The Diocese of Concordia-Pordenone () is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church situated in northeastern Italy, at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea, between Venice and Udine. Since 1818, Concordia Veneta, has been a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Venice.Kehr, p. 73. Bishop Andrea Casasola attended the Provincial Council of the Provincia Veneta in October 1859 as a suffragan of the Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Giuseppe Luigi Trevisanato.Acta et decreta Sacrorum Conciliorum Recentiorum. Collectio Lacensis, Tomus sextus (Friburg im Brisgau: Herder 1882), p. 343. The name of the diocese was changed to its present form in 1971."Diocese of Concordia-Pordenone" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved February 29, 2016."Diocese of Concordia–Pordenone" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
History
Concordia is an ancient Venetian city, called by the Romans Colonia Julia, and is situated on the Lemene River, between the Rivers Tagliamento and Livenza, two miles south of Portogruaro, not far from the Adriatic. Today there remain of the city only ruins and the ancient cathedral. The eighty-nine martyrs of Concordia, who were put to death under Diocletian, are held in veneration; their cult is recent, however, and based on late and dubious material.Lanzoni, p. 897: "Gli abitanti della nostra Concordia pretendono che i martiri del 17-18 febbraio siano stati uccisi nella loro città « sub Maximiano et Diocletiano »; ma non posseggono documenti o monumenti antichi del loro culto e del loro sepolcro, e la Passione (BHL, 2303), che ne hanno composito, è di età recentissima e perciò stesso di assai dubbia fede."
The monk, author, and controversialist, Tyrannius Rufinus (345–411), was born in Concordia, but was baptized in Aquileia, where he became a monk.Lanzoni, p. 899.
During the fifth century the city was destroyed by Attila.
The first known bishop of Concordia is Clarissimus, who, at a provincial synod of Aquileia in 579, helped to prolong the Schism of the Three Chapters; this council was attended by Augustinus, later Bishop of Concordia, who in 590 signed the petition presented by the schismatics to Emperor Mauricius. Bishop Johannes transferred the episcopal residence to Caorle (606), retaining, however, the title of Concordia.Kehr, p. 72. Lanzoni, p. 901, puts the date c. 615–618.
On 12 February 928, Hugh of Arles, King of Italy, granted to the Patriarch of Aquileia the right to invest the bishops of Concordia.Schwartz, p. 50. Luca Gianni (2003), "La diocesi di Concordia in Friuli. Difesa delle temporalità e consolidamento amministrativo: l'episcopato di Artico di Castello (1317-1331)," in: G. G. Merlo (ed.), Vescovi Medievali, Milano, Edizioni Biblioteca Francescana, 2003, p. 1 (p. 165): "Il suo vescovo dipendeva dal punto di vista metropolitico ma soprattutto feudale, dal patriarca di Aquileia, che lo investiva del potere temporale, sia civile quanto criminale, su parte del territorio diocesano."
The medieval bishops seem to have resided near the ancient cathedral, and to have wielded temporal power, which, however, they were unable to retain.Luca Gianni (2004), "Vita ed organizzazione interna della diocesi di Concordia in epoca medievale," in: A. Scottà (ed.), Diocesi di Concordia, Padova: Gregoriana Libreria Editrice, 2004 (Storia religiosa del Veneto, 10), pp. 205-321. The bishops of Concordia held one of the twenty-four canonicates in the cathedral Chapter of Aquileia; their functions were carried out by an appointed vicar.Zambaldi, p. 97.
In 1586, during the episcopate of the elder Matteo Sanudo, the episcopal residence was transferred to Portogruaro. In 1974 the episcopal residence was definitively transferred to Pordenone.
Canons and cathedral
The cathedral was staffed and administered by a corporation of Canons, called the Chapter.C.D. Fonseca, "La cattedrale e il suo Capitolo. Analisi comparata in prospettiva storica, ecclesiologica e canonistica," , in: Annali di Studi Religiosi Vol. 4 (2003), pp. 215-235. In 1191, Bishop Romulus decreed the reduction in number of the Canons from twenty-two to sixteen. The change was sanctioned by the Patriarch of Aquileia on 14 December 1191. He also renewed the obligation of the Canons to reside together.Cappelletti X, p. 427.
Bishop Articus da Castello (1318–1331) attempted, without success, to reform the cathedral Chapter, by appointing Canons who would agree to live in Concordia, where there was a dormitorium canonice and a claustrum. The problem was made difficult because both the Provost and the Dean were non-residential.Gianni (2003), pp. 72-74 (pp. 8-10). In order to ensure that the regular liturgical services were held in the cathedral at Concordia, on 3 April 1339 Bishop Guido de Guisis (1334–1347) established three mansionarii to assume the duties that the Canons would not perform.Gianni (2003), p. 75 (p. 11).
Returning from the Council of Trent, Bishop Pietro Querini (1537–1584) began a counter-reformational program with a general visitation of the institutions of his diocese (1566), during which he indicated to the cathedral Chapter that they should put their own discipline in order, and that they should address the equitable distribution of prebends. The result was a capitulary act of 15 January 1567, declaring that the Chapter had three dignitaries (the Dean, the Provost, and the Archdeacon), and assigning specific prebends to six Canons who were priests, two to deacons, and one to a subdeacon.Cappelletti X, pp. 455-456. Eugenio Marin (2003), Il Capitolo cattedrale di Concordia nella prima età moderna Università Ca’ Foscari, Venezia. Dipartimento di Studi Storici, Annali 2002. Studi e materiali dalle tesi di laurea, Milano, Unicopli, 2003, pp. 27-46. In 2020, the cathedral had a Chapter composed of three dignities (the Dean, the Theologus and the Penitentiarius) and three Canons, with four honorary Canons.Diocesi di Concordia-Podernone, "Capitolo della Cattedrale"; retrieved: 17 September 2020.
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. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (March 19, 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727. Andrea Tilatti, "Sinodi diocesane e concili provinciali in italia nord-orientale fra Due e Trecento. Qualche riflessione," Mélanges de l'Ecole française de Rome. Moyen-Age, Temps modernes T. 112, N°1. 2000, pp. 273-304.
Bishop Guido de Guisis (1334–1347) held a diocesan synod in 1335.Zambaldi, p. 99. On 4 August 1450, Bishop Giovanni Battista Legname (1443–1455) held a diocesan synod.Cappelletti X, p. 450. On 8 April 1587, Bishop Matteo Sanudo (1585–1616) held a diocesan synod.Zambaldi, p. 113. Bishop Paolo Vallaresso (1693–1723) presided over a diocesan synod in the cathedral of S. Andrea in Portogruaro on 20–22 May 1697. Bishop Alvise Gabrieli (1761–1779) held a diocesan synod on 1–3 June 1767. Cappelletti X, p. 468. Bishop Domenico Pio Rossi, O.P. (1881–1892) held a diocesan synod in the cathedral of S. Andrea on 16–18 April 1885.Domenico Rossi, Synodus dioecesis Concordiensis ab illustriss. et reverendiss. episcopo fr. Dominico Pio Rossi O. P. in auxiliari ecclesia S. Andreae ap. diebus XVI, XVII, XVIII aprilis anno MDCCCLXXXV (Treviso: Mander 1885).
Bishops Diocese of Concordia to 1200
... Clarissimus (attested 571–590)Bishop Clarissimus is mentioned by Paulus Diaconus in his Historia Langobardorum III. 26. He was present at a synod in Grado in the time of the Patriarch Elias of Aquileia (571–586): J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Consiliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta, 1771), p. 497. Lanzoni, p. 901, no. 2. Augustus (attested 591)Lanzoni, p. 901, no. 2. Kehr, p. 72. P. Ewald and L. Hartmann (edd.), Monumenta Germaniae Historica: Epistolae, I: Gregorii I Papae Registrum Epistolarum (Berlin: Weidmann 1891), p. 21. ... Anselmus (attested 827)Bishop Anselm was present at the synod of Mantua in 827. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Consiliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta, 1771), p. 495. Kehr, p. 72. ... Toringarius (attested 844)Bishop Toringarius attended the meeting in Rome in June 844, under Pope Sergius II (844–847). Louis Duchesne, Le Liber Pontificalis Tome II (Paris: E. Thorin 1892), p. 89. Kehr, p. 72. ... Albericus (attested 963, 964)Bishop Albericus assisted the Patriarch of Aquileia at the consecration of the cathedral of Parenza in 963. Zambaldi, p. 84. Luca Gianni (2004), "Vita ed organizzazione interna della diocesi di Concordia in epoca medievale," in: A. Scottà (ed.), Diocesi di Concordia Padova, Gregoriana Libreria Editrice, 2004 (Storia religiosa del Veneto, 10), p. 205-321, at p. 205 (attested 996, 1001)Benzo: Schwartz, pp. 50-51. ... Majo (attested 1015–1027)Majo: Schwartz, p. 51. Ruodbertus (attested 1031)Ruodbert: Schwartz, p. 51. ... Dietwin (attested 1049, 1072)Dietwin: Schwartz, p. 51. ... Riwinus (attested 1106)Riwinus: Schwartz, p. 51. RempotBishop Rempot witnessed a document of Patriarch Udalrich (1086–1121). Rempot's episcopacy therefore falls after 1106 and before 1119. Schwartz, p. 51. Otto (attested 1119–1120)Otto: Schwartz, p. 51. HermannusGams, p. 788, column 1. (Gervinus)Gervicus (Gerwigo, Gerwino): Cappelletti X, pp. 423-425. Cono (attested 1164–1173)Cono: Cappelletti X, pp. 425-426. Gerardus (attested 1177–1179)Gerardus: Cappelletti X, pp. 425-426. Gams, p. 788, column 1. Ionathas (Gionata)Kehr VII. 1, pp. 74, nos. 2-3 (3 March 1187); 79, no. 5. Romulus (attested 1188–1192)Romulus: Zambaldi, p. 88.
1200 to 1500
Woldericus (1203–1213)Woldericus (Voldarico): Degani, Diocesi, pp. 187-189. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 201. Gianni (2003), p. 279 (p. 15). Otto (attested 1216)Otto: Gams, p. 788. Almericus (1216– )Almericus: Zambaldi, pp. 90-91. Gams, p. 788. (attested 1221–1250)Fridericus died on 19 November 1250. Zambaldi, p. 91. Gams, p. 788. Guilelmus (1251)Guilelmus had been Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Aquileia, and was a chaplain of Innocent IV. He was appointed bishop of Concordia by Pope Innocent IV on 3 January 1251. Zambaldi, p. 92. Eubel I, p. 201. Guarnerius (1251–1252)Guarnerius had been bishop-elect of Ceneda. He was transferred to Concordia by Pope Innocent IV on 12 June 1251. He died in 1252. Zambaldi, p. 92. Eubel I, p. 201. (1252–1257) AdministratorTiso was bishop-elect of Belluno e Feltre, but he was unable to take possession of the diocese due to the hostility between his father and the Ezzolini. He was only administrator of the diocese of Concordia. In one document he is called Procurator. E. Berger, Les registres d' Innocent IV Tomus III (Paris: Fontemoing 1897), pp. 124-125, no. 6060. Zambaldi, p. 92. Eubel I, p. 201. Albertus (1260–1268)Albert had served as Vicidominus of the Patriarch of Aquileia, Gregorio de Montelongo (1251–1269). He was named Bishop of Concordia on 26 June 1260. Bishop Albert was assassinated on 3 July 1268. Zambaldi, pp. 92-94. Eubel I, p. 201. Fulcherius (Di Zuccula), O.Min. (c. 1272–1293)Fulcher belonged to the family of the Signori di Zuccula e Spilimbergo. He is said to have been appointed by Pope Gregory X, who was elected on 1 September 1271, and accepted in February 1272. Fulcher died on 17 April 1293. Zambaldi, pp. 94-96. Eubel I, p. 201.