The Diocese of Pozzuoli () is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in Campania, southern Italy. It is a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Naples,"Diocese of Pozzuoli" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved February 29, 2016."Diocese of Pozzuoli" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved February 29, 2016. like its other neighboring dioceses, Aversa and Ischia.
History The diocese of Pozzuoli is said to have been founded around 100 AD. The conjecture is based on the fact that Paul of Tarsus landed at Pozzuoli on his way to trial in Rome (Acts of the Apostles 28:13-14), and the fact that Ignatius of Antioch, when being conducted to Rome, landed in Pozzuoli. Neither reference proves the existence of a diocese, or even an established community.Lanzoni, pp. 211-212.
Proculus, Acutius, Eutyches and Artemas were martyrs of Pozzuoli, and St. Januarius of Benevento and his companions suffered martyrdom here.The Passion of Artemas was written in the 10th century. Lanzoni, p. 212.
In 1198, the Solfatera volcano, which is less than two miles west of the cathedral of Pozzuoli, exploded violently, and the earth tremors damaged every building in Pozzuoli.
In the 12th century, piracy increased considerably in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Some pirate bands captured Cumae, fortified its castello, and made it the headquarters of their activities. The bishops of Aversa, who were frequent targets, appealed to Naples for assistance, and, in 1207, obtained the aid of the military captain Goffredo de Montefuscolo, who sent aid from Naples, led by Pietro di Lettra. The pirates were scattered, and the town and castello of Cumae were taken and completely destroyed.Gaetano Moroni, Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica Vol. XIX (Venezia: Tipografia Emiliana 1843), p. 22. The Archbishop of Naples recovered and removed the sacred relics, the head of the cathedral chapter of Cumae, the Primicerius, was incorporated into the diocese of Aversa, and the diocese of Aversa and the diocese of Pozzuoli gained territory from the suppressed Diocese of Cuma (Italy). The archbishops of Naples permanently assumed the title of bishops of Cumae.Ughelli VI, p. 230. Cappelletti, p. 534.
In 1536, a series of earthquakes began in the neighborhood of Pozzuoli, culminating in the explosions of 26 and 27 September 1538, which brought into existence a new volcano only two miles west of the cathedral, called Monte Nuovo. Just before the explosion the sea receded from the beach by two hundred feet. Virtually every building in the area was damaged.Baratta, p. 94, no. 403.
In 2016, there was one Catholic priest for every 4,119 Catholics.
Cathedral The seat of the bishop is in Pozzuoli Cathedral, dedicated to the local martyr Proculus of Pozzuoli. By the 6th century, the Temple of Augustus, a building consisting principally of marble, had been converted for use as the Christian cathedral. In the 17th century, Bishop Martín de León Cárdenas (1631–1650) had the old cathedral restored by enclosing it entirely in a baroque structure, which survived until 1964.Scherillo, p. 554. The cathedral was closed after a major fire in 1964 but reopened for worship in 2014, though in 2019 it is still open only on Saturdays and Sundays, due to archaeological and restoration work on the Temple of Augustus. During that building's closure the nearby church of Santa Maria della Consolazione in Pozzuoli served as a pro-cathedral.
The cathedral is administered and served by a Chapter, consisting of three dignities (the Dean, the Archdeacon, and the Cantor) and twelve Canons.Ughelli, p. 269. In 1775, there were four dignities.Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 349, note 1. The fourth was, presumably, the Theologus.
On 7 May 1300, the Canons of Pozzuoli surrendered their right to elect their bishop to Pope Boniface VIII.Canon Giovanni Scherillo of Pozzuoli, p. 555, column 1.
The diocese's Co-Cathedral in Monterusciello is the Concattedrale di S. Paolo Apostolo, devoted to St. Paul the Apostle.
A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Martín de León Cárdenas (1631 –1650))Ughelli, p. 286.
Bishops of Pozzuoli to 1300
... [Celsus]There was a cult of a S. Celsus at Pozzuoli, but no evidence that he was a bishop. Lanzoni, p. 212: "Tutto è oscuro intorno a lui. Si hanno notizie antiche del suo culto in Pozzuoli; del suo episcopato puteolano nessuna. La sua leggenda è straordinaria...." ... [Joannes]According to Ughelli, p. 272, no. 3, he is named in the episcopal lists. Lanzoni, p. 213, points out that there is no proof of his existence, and that he may be a confusion: "Senza alcuna prova. Che sia stato desunto dai due Giovanni che compaiono nel pseudo-sinodo romano del 324?" ... Florentius (attested 372–378)Bishop Florentius was condemned in a Roman council of 372, perhaps for heresy, or for some other reason. He was deposed, but attempted to regain his seat in 378. Cappelletti, p. 646. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 1. ... Theodorus (435)Bishop Theodorus died on 13 May 435. Cappelletti, p. 646. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 2. ... Julius (or Julianus) (attested 448–449)Bishop Julius was the Apostolic Legate of Pope Leo I at the Council of Ephesus in 449. Cappelletti, p. 647. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 3. ... [Stephanus]Stephanus was a 10th century bishop of Pozzuoli, who received the dedication of the "Passion of S. Artema of Pozzuoli" by Pietro, Subdeacon of Naples. Lanzoni, p. 213. Cf. Cappelletti, p. 647. [Claudius]"Claudius Puteolanus" is the name read by Giovanni Domenico Mansi, in Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio editio novissima, Tomus VII, p. 959, and Cappelletti, p. 652. Lanzoni, p. 213, indicates that the correct reading is "Pausulanus", Pausulae in Piceno, thus removing Claudius from the episcopal list of Pozzuoli. ... Aucupius (attested 499)Aucupius attended the Roman synod of Pope Gelasius I in 499. Cappelletti, p. 652. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 4. Geminus (attested 558–560)Geminus was given a papal mandate by Pope Paschal I. Mansi, Tomus IX, p. 734. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 5. ... Anonymous (attested 600)An unnamed bishop of Puteoli is mentioned in a letter of Pope Gregory I in July 600. Philippus Jaffe and S. Loewenfeld, Regesta pontificum Romanorum Tomus I (Leipzig: Veit 1885), p. 201, no. 1787. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 6. ... [Zosimus] (7th century)According to Lanzoni, p. 213, the name is a false reading of "Sosimus" in a martyrology. The name is also rejected by Cappelletti, p. 652. ... Gaudiosus (attested 680)Bishop Gaudiosus was present at the Roman synod of Pope Agatho in 680, and subscribed the synodical letter which was sent by Pope Agatho to the Council of Constantinople. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XI (Florence: A. Zatta 1765), p. 299. Cappelletti, p. 652. Ughelli, p. 275 is wrong in having Bishop Gaudiosus actually attend the Council of Constantinople. ... Stephanus (10th century)Scherillo, p. 552 column 1. Lanzoni, p. 213. Cf. Cappelletti, p. 647. ... Leo (attested c. 1030)Bishop Leo resigned the episcopal throne to become a hermit in the monastery of S. Agnello. He is referred to by Peter Damianus. Ughelli, p. 276. Cappelletti, p. 652. ... Donatus (attested 1119, 1121)Robert, Prince of Capua, made a grant of some churches to the diocese of Pozzuoli, on the condition of the granting of absolution (or indulgences) on Ash Wednesday and on Holy Thursday. In 1121 Bishop Donatus obtained the return of a church from Prince Jordanus of Capua. Ughelli, pp. 276-278. Cappelletti, pp. 653-656. ... Maurus (attested 1135)Bishop Maurus received the grant (or the confirmation of the grant) of the decima that was paid at the castle of Pozzuoli, from Prince Richard of Capua, son of Prince Jordanus of Capua. Ughelli, p. 278. Cappelletti, pp. 657-658. ... Joannes (attested 1153)Ughelli, p. 278. Cappelletti, p. 658. ... M. (attested 1187, 1193)Bishop M. was present at the consecration of the church of S. Gregorio in Naples, and in 1193 he signed the bull which sanctified John Gualbert. Ughelli, p. 278. Cappelletti, p. 658. The date is 1 October 1193, despite older reports of the bull as belonging to 1194: Antonella Degl'Innocenti (2001), "Giovanni Gualberto," in: Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani Volume 56 (Treccani 2001). ... Richardus (attested 1235)Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 409. ... Matthaeus (attested 1274)On the authority of Ughelli, p. 279, Matthaeus died under Pope Gregory X (1272–1276), c. 1274. Angelus (attested 1275, 1277, 1279)King Charles I assigned Bishop Angelus the decimae of Pozzuoli, Baiae, and Solfatara. Ughelli, p. 279. Cappelletti, p. 658. Franciscus (attested 1282)Angelus succeeded to the bishopric of Pozzuoli in 1282, according to Ughelli, p. 279. Angelus (attested 1284)Ughelli, p. 279. Cappelletti, p. 658. Arnaldus (attested 1296)Arnaldus was unknown to Ughelli, to Cappelletti, and to Gams. Eubel I, p. 409, gives the name and the date, and attributes his information to Gams! Joannes Brito (attested 1298–1304)By an emendation of Ughelli, p. 279, Cappelletti (p. 658) sets the date of Joannes' consecration in 1298, rather than 1288. He is attested granting indulgences in 1304.
from 1300 to 1600
Franciscus (attested 1304)Gams, p. 914, column 2. Nicolaus Scandito (attested 1308)Nicolaus died in September 1308. Ughelli, p. 279. Gams, p. 914, column 2. Guilelmus de Sallone, O.Min. (attested 1317)He was transferred to the diocese of Aversa on 1 June 1324 by Pope John XXII. Gams, p. 914, column 2 (giving the beginning date of December 1320). Eubel I, pp. 123, 409. Paulinus of Venice, O.Min. (1324–1344)Paulinus was a papal penitentiary. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 20 June 1324 by Pope John XXII. He died in 1344. Eubel I, p. 409. Landulfus Capecelatro (1344–1373)Landolfo Capice Latro had been cimiliarch (treasurer) of the Church of Naples. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli by Pope Clement VI on 5 July 1344. He died in 1373. Cappelletti, p. 659. Eubel I, p. 409. Ludovico de Casalibus (1373–1380)Ludovico de Casalibus was transferred to the diocese of Ravenna by Pope Clement VII in 1380. Cappelletti, p. 659. Eubel I, p. 409, 415 (making the date of transfer 1385 by error). Petrus (1380–1385) Avignon ObediencePetrus had previously been Bishop of the Marsi (14 January 1380–15 June 1380). He was transferred to the diocese of Pozzuoli by Pope Clement VII on 15 June 1380. He was transferred to the diocese of Penne in 1385. Ughelli, p. 280. Cappelletti, p. 659-660. Eubel I, pp. 327, 409. Petrus de Trara (1385–1389?) Avignon Obedience Nicolaus (c. 1389) Roman ObedienceCappelletti, p. 660. Francesco Cecchus (c. 1391) Roman ObedienceFrancesco was made papal Nuncio in Portugal by Boniface IX. Eubel I, p. 409 with note 4. Philippus (1395–1398) Roman ObedienceOn 20 November 1398, Bishop Philippus was transferred to the diocese of the Marsi by Pope Boniface IX. Cappelletti, p. 660. Eubel I, pp. 328, 409. Ludovicus (Loysius) Roman Obedience Simon Alopa (de Lopa) (1401) Roman ObedienceSimon had previously been Bishop of Molfetta (1386–1401). He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 26 March 1401, by Pope Boniface IX and died in the same year, before October. Eubel I, pp. 335, 409-410. Tommaso Torelli (1401–1405)Torelli was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 13 October 1401. Eubel I, p. 410. Tommaso Brancaccio (Jan – Jul 1405)Brancaccio was appointed Bishop of Tricarico by Pope Boniface IX on 30 July 1405. Eubel I, p. 410, 497. Lorenzo di Gillioto (1405–1434)A native of Troja, Di Gillioto had been Bishop of Vesta (Viesti) (1403–1405). He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli by Pope Innocent VII on 29 September 1405. He died in 1434. Cappelletti, pp. 660-661. Gams, p. 941 column 2. Eubel I, p. 411; II, p. 219. Matteo Custoni (1434)Custoni served less than one year. Cappelletti, p. 661.