The Diocese of Civita Castellana () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Latium, central Italy. It has existed in the current form since 1986, when the Diocese of Nepi e Sutri was united into the Diocese of Civita Castellana, Orte e Gallese. The Diocese of Gallese had been added to the Dioceses of Civita Castellana and Orte in 1805. The name of the diocese was shortened in 1991, in accordance with Vatican policies. The diocese of Civita Castellana is immediately exempt to the Holy See."Diocese of Civita Castellana" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved February 29, 2016"Diocese of Civita Castellana" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved February 29, 2016
History
The earliest known bishop with his seat at Civita Castellana is Crescentius (or Crescentianus). In 998, he discovered and transported to Cività Castellana the remains of Martianus and Johannes and other deceased people. The story of these marvellous deeds was published at Rome in 1584.Schwartz, p. 257.
The Antipope Clement III (Archbishop Wibert of Ravenna) died in Civita Castellana on 8 September 1100.
In 1252 the diocese of Gallese was incorporated with that of Civita Castellana. Reestablished in 1562, Gallese was again suppressed in 1573.Cappellettyi VI, p. 63. During that brief period, it had two bishops, Girolamo Garimberti of Parma (1563–1565), and Gabriel degli Alessandri of Bergamo (1566–1569).Alessandri was appointed Vicar General of the diocese of Bressanone, where he died in September 1595, still retaining the title of Bishop of Gallese. Cappelletti VI, pp. 55-57. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 200. The diocese of Gallese was restored on 20 December 1805, by Pope Pius VII, in the bull "Romanorum Pontificum", and the old cathedral, which had been reduced to the status of the collegiate church of S. Maria Assunta, again became a cathedral, served by twelve Canons, and headed by two dignities, the Archpriest and the Archdeacon. The diocese, however, was united to the diocese of Cività Castellana e Orte, all three dioceses having one and the same bishop, aeque personaliter.Cappelletti VI, p. 67.
On 5 October 1437, in the bull "Sacrosancta Romana", Pope Eugenius IV united the diocese of OrteKehr II, p. 192. with the diocese of Cività Castellana in the person of a single bishop.The bull is quoted in full by Cappelletti VI, pp. 50-52. Orte (Orta, the ancient Horta) is some fifty miles north of Rome. In accordance with Pope Eugenius' decree, the bishop was required to hold his Chrism Mass (usually on Holy Thursday) and his ordinations of priests in alternate years in Orte and in Civita Castellana.
In 1748, the Chapter of the cathedral of the Annunciation in Civita Castellana was composed of one dignity and fourteen Canons. The Chapter of the cathedral of the Assumption in Orte was composed of one dignity and eighteen Canons.Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 167, note 1. Each city had about 4,000 inhabitants. In the mid-19th century, the cathedral of Civita Castellana was administered and serviced by a Chapter consisting of one dignity, the Archpriest, and eighteen Canons.Cappelletti VI, p. 68.
Bishop Giovanni Tenderini (1718–1739) took the major steps to found a seminary, but it was not until 1746 that it opened. The diocesan seminary, like many ecclesiastical institutions, suffered under French invasion and occupation. After the French removal, the seminary was located in the former Franciscan convent next to S. Pietro in Civita Castellana. The convent had been emptied by the French occupation forces under Napoleon, and when they were driven out, permission to convert it to diocesan use was given by Pope Pius VII, and it opened in 1825.Cappelletti VI, pp. 68-69.
Bishops
Diocese of Civita Castellana
... Crescentianus (attested 996–1136)Crescentianus (Crescentius) was present at the Roman synods of Pope Benedict VIII on 3 January 1015, and Pope Benedict IX on 2 November 1036. He subscribed as Episcopus Fallarensis. Schwartz, p. 257. Benedictus (attested 1037–1050)Benedictus: Ughelli I, p. 597, reports that Bishop Benedict subscribed a document as Benedictus Fallaritanae et Castellanae episcopus, and another, according to Schwartz, p. 27, as Benedictus Fallarensis. Petrus (attested 1059–1065)Bishop Petrus attested the Roman synods of 13 April 1059, and 6 May 1065. He subscribed as Petrus Castellanus (or Petrus Castellanensis). J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIX (Venice: A. Zatta 1774), pp. 911-912. Schwartz, p. 257. RogeriusBishop Rogerius attended a consecration at Montecassino on 1 October 1071. Schwartz, p. 257. ... Joannes (c.1101)Bishop Joannes was present at a memorial service, perhaps on 8 September 1101, the first anniversary of the death of Wibert of Ravenna, the Antipope Clement III, who died in Cività Castellana. Schwartz, p. 257. ... Petrus (attested 1126)Bishop Petrus is mentioned in a privilege of Pope Honorius II for the archbishop of Pisa. Schwartz, p. 257. ... Petrus (attested 1179–1183)Bishop Petrus was present at the Third Lateran Council of Pope Alexander III in March 1179. He subscribed as Petrus civitatis Castellanensis: J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXII (Venice: A. Zatta 1778), p. 459. Ughelli I, p. 597-598. ... Romanus (attested 1206–1212)Romanus: Ughelli I, p. 598. Guilelmus (attested 1217)Bishop Guilelmus was consecrated a bishop by Pope Honorius III during his second year in office. Cappelletti VI, p. 20. Eubel I, p. 190 with note 1. Petrus (attested 1219, 1230)Eubel I, p. 190 with note 2. Nicolaus (attested 1232–1233)Nicolaus was transferred to the diocese of Viterbo by Pope Gregory IX on 6 October 1233. Ughelli I, p. 598. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 190. ... Joannes Magnesi, O.P. (c.1270)Cappelletti VI, p. 20. Monaldus, O.Min. (1288–1307)On the death of Bishop Joannes, there was a contested election for his successor. Both candidates, the Archpriest Jacopo of Civita Castellana and the Archpriest Angelo of Viterbo, were rejected by Pope Nicholas IV, who appointed the Franciscan Monaldus to the office. Ughelli I, p. 598. Cappelletti VI, p. 21. Eubel I, p. 190 with note 3. Godefredus, O.Min. (1307–1324)The election of Fra Godefredus by the Archpriest, Canons and clergy of Civita Castellana, was approved, after inspection by a committee of three cardinals, by Pope Clement V on 5 June 1307. He died in 1324 (or more likely 1323). Eubel I, p. 190. Guilelmus, O.Carm. (1324–1331)After the death of Bishop Joannes of Limasol (Cyprus), Guilelmus was elected the new bishop by the Chapter of the cathedral, and was confirmed and consecrated a bishop by the Archbishop of Nicosia, who was apparently unaware of Pope John XXII's decree reserving the appointment to all of the vacant benefices of all of the dioceses to the pope. In the meantime, the Chapter of Civita Castellana in complete discord; part requested the Pope to appoint Gregory of Rome to their bishopric, part requested Gottefridus of Civitella of the diocese of Orvieto. John XXII rejected both requests, and transferred Giulelmus from Limasol to Civitas Castellana, and reminded all concerned of his reservation of benefices, including bishoprics. Guilelmus was appointed by Pope John XXII on 21 February 1324. He was transferred to the diocese of Isernia (Campania) on 13 November 1331. Ughelli I, p. 598. G. Mollat, Jean XXII: Lettres communs Tome cinquième (Paris: Fontemoing 1909), pp. 80-81, no. 19037. Eubel I, pp. 190; 237; 367 with note 5. Franciscus Osni, O.E.S.A. (1331–1348)Osni was a native of Gubbio, and a professed member of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine. He was appointed Bishop of Civita Castellana by Pope John XXII on 4 December 1331. He died in 1348. Ughelli I, p. 598-599. Eubel I, p. 190. Joannes (1348–1359)Joannes had previously been Archpriest of the cathedral Chapter of Viterbo. He was appointed Bishop of Civita Castellana by Pope Clement VI on 15 December 1348. He died in 1359. Ughelli, p. 599. Eubel I, p. 190. Stephanus, O.E.S.A. (1359–1367?)A native of Viterbo, Stephanus was appointed by Pope Innocent VI on 12 July 1359. Eubel I, p. 190. Joannes, O.P. (attested 1367–1377)Joannes was appointed Bishop of Civita Castellana on 20 April 1367 by Pope Urban V. Eubel I, p. 190. Matthaeus (1382–1394?) Roman ObedienceMatteo (or Marsilio) was provided by Urban VI during the Western Schism. Eubel I, p. 190. Geminus da Viterbo, O.Min. 1388–1390?) Avignon ObedienceGemino: Eubel I, p. 190. Antonius da Castronovo, O.P (1390– ? ) Avignon ObedienceAntonio:Eubel I, p. 190. Angelo (1394– ? ) Roman ObedienceAngelo was provided by Boniface IX during the Western Schism: Gams, p. 685. Eubel I, p. 190. Joannes de Arcionibus (1395–1406) Roman ObedienceGiovanni was provided on 30 April 1395 by Boniface IX. He died in 1406. Ughelli I, p. 599. Eubel I, p. 190. Stephanus, O.Min. 1406–1414) Roman ObedienceStephanus was appointed on 8 August 1406 by Pope Innocent VI. He died on 17 April 1414. Eubel I, p. 190. Joannes Georgii (1414–1432)Joannes was appointed by John XXIII on 19 September 1414. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 190; II, p. 130 with note 1. [Sante (Sancho)]Sancho was not a bishop of Civita Castellana. He was transferred to the diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo (Civitatenses) in Spain from the diocese of Orte in 1431. Eubel II, pp. 129; 130 note 1; 166 with note 2. Joannes (attested 1435–1437 deposed)Joannes: Eubel II, p. 130 with note 3.
Bishops of Civita Castellana e Orte United: 5 October 1437 with the Diocese of Orte
Valentinus de Narnia (1437–1442)Valentinus held the degree of Doctor of Canon Law, and was a Canon of the cathedral of Narnia. He was bishop of Orte, in succession to Bishop Sante (Sancho); he was appointed on 19 March 1432. In 1437, Narnia was offered the bishopric of Corneto e Montefiascone, which he refused. On 5 October 1437 he accepted the addition of the diocese of Civita Castellana to his obligations. On 28 January 1442, Bishop Narnia was transferred to the diocese of Ascoli Piceno by Pope Eugenius IV. Eubel II, pp. 96, 166 with note 3. Luca (1442–1443)Lucas de S. Vittoria was a Canon of the cathedral of Bologna. He was appointed Bishop of Civita Castellana on 28 January 1442 (not 1443, as in Eubel II, p. 166, a misprint; cf. Eubel II, p. 96). During his brief episcopate, the monastery of S. Giorgio was annexed to the diocese. He died before mid-December 1443. Cappelletti VI, pp. 52-53. Antonio Stella (1443–1455)Antonius Pauli Stella (He is Antonius Stella on his tombstone) had been a Canon of the cathedral of Civita Castellana. He was appointed bishop by Pope Eugenius IV on 16 December 1443. He died in 1455. Ughelli I, pp. 600-601. Eubel II, p. 166. Nicolas Palmeri, O.E.S.A. (1455–1467)Palmieri was a Sicilian, and a master of theology. He was named Bishop of Catanzaro on 21 December 1440, which he resigned in 1448. He was appointed Bishop of Civita Castellana on 20 June 1455 by Pope Calixtus III (Borgia). He died in 1467. Ughelli I, p. 601. Cappelletti VI, p. 53. Eubel II, pp. 121, 166. Antonio (1467–1473)Antonius was a Canon of the cathedral of Castro (Acquapendente). He was provided as Bishop of Castro (Acquapendente) on 16 February 1463 by Pope Pius II; his bulls were furnished on 31 March 1463. He was transferred to the diocese of Orte e Civita Castellana on 30 October 1467 by Pope Paul II. He died on 18 October 1473. Eubel II, pp. 121 with note 2; 166. Pietro Ajosa (24 Jan 1474 –1486)On 4 August 1486 Ajosa was appointed Bishop of Sessa Aurunca by Pope Innocent VIII. "Bishop Pietro Ajosa" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved March 21, 2016.