The Italian Catholic diocese of Castellammare di Stabia, on the Bay of Naples, existed until 1986. In that year it became part of the archdiocese of Sorrento-Castellammare di Stabia."Diocese of Castellammare di Stabia" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved March 20, 2016."Diocese of Castellammare di Stabia" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved March 20. 2016.

History

Previous to Ursus, present at the Roman synod under Pope Symmachus, in 499, no register was kept of the bishops of this city. Among its bishops were:

Palmerio (1196), champion of ecclesiastical rights against Emperor Frederick II; and C. Vittorino Maso (1599), theologians and canonists;

Reorganization of 1818 Following the extinction of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, the Congress of Vienna authorized the restoration of the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples. Since the French occupation had seen the abolition of many Church institutions in the kingdom, as well as the confiscation of most Church property and resources, it was imperative that Pope Pius VII and King Ferdinand IV reach agreement on restoration and restitution. Ferdinand, however, was not prepared to accept the pre-Napoleonic situation, in which Naples was a feudal subject of the papacy. Lengthy, detailed, and acrimonious negotiations ensued.

In 1818, a new concordat with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies committed the pope to the suppression of more than fifty small dioceses in the kingdom. Pope Pius VII united the diocese of Lettere-Gragnano, the ancient Liternum with Castellammare.: "Archiepiscopalis ecclesia Surrentina suffraganeam habebit episcopalem ecclesiam Castri Maris; ecclesias vero episcopales Massalubrensem, Vicanam, et Capritanam actu vacantes perpetuo supprimimus, earumque civitates, totumque dioecesanum territorium archiepiscopali Sùrrentinae unimus et assignamus. Episcopalem autem ecclesiam Litterensem ex nunc prò tunc quando ex persona moderni illius antistitis quomodocumque vacare contigerit perpetuo pariter supprimimus, ejusque civitatem atque integrum territorium dioecesanum praefatae episcopali ecclesiae Castri Maris adjicimus, et incorporamus."

Diocesan reorganization of 1986 The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses. It also recommended the abolition of anomalous units such as exempt territorial prelatures.In its decree Christus Dominus, section 22, it stated: "Concerning diocesan boundaries, therefore, this sacred synod decrees that, to the extent required by the good of souls, a fitting revision of diocesan boundaries be undertaken prudently and as soon as possible. This can be done by dividing dismembering or uniting them, or by changing their boundaries, or by determining a better place for the episcopal see or, finally, especially in the case of dioceses having larger cities, by providing them with a new internal organization.... At the same time the natural population units of people, together with the civil jurisdictions and social institutions that compose their organic structure, should be preserved as far as possible as units. For this reason, obviously, the territory of each diocese should be continuous."

On 18 February 1984, the Vatican and the Italian State signed a new and revised concordat. Based on the revisions, a set of Normae was issued on 15 November 1984, which was accompanied in the next year, on 3 June 1985, by enabling legislation. According to the agreement, the practice of having one bishop govern two separate dioceses at the same time, aeque personaliter, was abolished. Instead, the Vatican continued consultations which had begun under Pope John XXIII for the merging of small dioceses, especially those with personnel and financial problems, into one combined diocese.

On 30 September 1986, Pope John Paul II ordered that the dioceses of Sorrento and Castellammare be merged into one diocese with one bishop, with the Latin title Archidioecesis Surrentina-Castri Maris. There was to be one episcopal seat, in Sorrento, the largest town and the civil provincial capital. The cathedral of the diocese of Castellammare was to become a co-cathedrals and its Chapter called a Chapter of the co-cathedral. The clergy and parishes of the individual suppressed dioceses were to become the clergy and parishes of the Diocese of Sorrento-Castellammare.Acta Apostolicae Sedis vol. 79 (1987), pp. 794-797.

Bishops of Castellamare di Stabia

to 1600 ... (ca. 499) : UrsusBishop Ursus attended the Roman council of Pope Symmachus in March 499. J. D. Mansi, Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio editio novissima. Tomus VIII (Florence 1762), p. 235. Cappelletti XIX, p. 771. Gams, p. 872. Lanzoni, p. 246. ... (600–612) : LaurentiusLaurentius was consecrated a bishop on 27 February 600. He died in the last week of February (IV Kal Mart) 612. Cappelletti XIX, pp. 771-772. Gams, p. 872. Lanzoni, p. 246. ... (649) : IuventinusBishop Juventinus attended the Lateran council of Pope Martin I in October 649. The name is spelled Eubentino in Latin and Ιυβεντίνο in Greek. J. D. Mansi, Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio editio novissima. Tomus X (Florence: A. Zatta 1764), pp. 867-868. ... ( 827) : Catellus of CastellammareCatellus: Kehr VIII, p. 413, no. 1. ... (1085) : GregoriusGregorius is mentioned in a charter from Cava. Kehr VIII, p. 412. ... (1141) : JoannesJoannes: Kehr VIII, p. 413. ... (1327–1331) : Landolfo Caracciolo ... (1503–1537) : Pedro FloresFlores was appointed Bishop of Gaeta on 31 January 1537. Eubel, III, pp. 200 and 303. (1537–1559) : Juan FonsecaFonseca: Eubel, III, p. 304. (1562–1577) : Antonio LauroLauro: Eubel, III, p. 304. (1577–1581) : Sede VacanteCappelletti XIX, p. 804. (1581–1591) : Ludovico Majorino da GravinaMajorino: Cappelletti XIX, pp. 804-805. Eubel, III, p. 304. (1591–1596) : Giovanni Myra (Mira)Mira was appointed, Archbishop of Acerenza e Matera: Eubel, III, p. 304. (1599–1600) : Vittorino MansiMansi was approved by Pope Clement VIII on 1 February 1599. On 31 July 1600 Mansi was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Ariano. Gauchat, IV, p. 140.

1600 to 1800

(1601–1604) : Jerónimo Bernardo de QuirósOn 18 August 1604 Quirós was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli. Gauchat, IV, p. 140 with note 2. (1605–1627) : Ippolito RivaRiva was nominated by King Philip IV of Spain, and approved by Pope Paul V on 31 August 1605. Gauchat, IV, p. 140 with note 3. (1627–1644) : Annibale MascambrunoMascambruno was born in Benevento, and received the degree of Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) from the University of Rome (1616). He had been Sacristan of King Philip IV of Spain, who appointed him Bishop of Castellammare di Stabia on 31 March 1627; he was approved by Pope Urban VIII on 30 August 1627. He was consecrated in Rome on 8 September by Cardinal Cosimo de Torres. Gauchat, IV, p. 140 with note 4. (1645–1651) : Andrea MassaOn 25 September 1651 Massa was appointed Bishop of Gallipoli. Gauchat, IV, p. 141 with note 5. (1651–1653) : Clemente Del PezzoDel Pezzo was named Bishop of Porphyreon by papal appointment on 19 February 1644; he was transferred to the diocese of Aquila by royal appointment and papal approval on 17 December 1646, until his transfer to Castellammare di Stabia on 27 November 1651. Gauchat, IV, p. 90, p. 141 and note 6; p. 285 with note 2. (1655–1662) : Juan de ParedesParedes, who had been born in the diocese of Burgos, had been Vicar General of the Bishop of Segovia in Spain. He was nominated by the King of Spain on 1 January 1655 and appointed Bishop of Castellammare di Stabia on 2 August 1655. He was transferred to the diocese of Gaeta on 17 April 1662. Gauchat, IV, p. 127; p. 141 and note 7. (1662–1676) : Pietro GambacortaGambacorta died in January 1676. Gauchat, IV, p. 141 and note 8. (1676–1678) : Lorenzo Mayers CaramuelCaramuel was appointed, Bishop of Gaeta. Ritzler, V, p. 149, with note 2. (1678–1680) : Salvatore ScaglioneRitzler, V, p. 149, with note 3. (1682–1683) : Francesco de Mandietta (Mendieta)Born in Madrid, Mendieta was a member of the Trinitarian Fathers. He was a Master of theology and held a chair at the University of Naples. He was a minister and Vicar of his Order. He was nominated to the bishopric of Castellammare di Stabia by Charles II of Spain. Pope Innocent XI approved on 12 January 1682. Ritzler, V, p. 149, with note 4. (1684–1705) : Annibale de PietropauloAnnibale was born in the town of Parghelia in the diocese of Tropea. He was a Doctor of theology (1676) from the University of Rome, La Sapienza, and was the parish priest of S. Maria Ognibene in Naples. He was nominated by King Charles II el Hechizado of Spain, and approved by Pope Innocent XI on 10 January 1684. He was consecrated a bishop in Rome on 16 January 1684 by Cardinal Alessandro Crescenzi. Cappelletti, p. 809. Ritzler, V, p. 149, with note 5. (1713–1722) : Biagio de DuraBiagio de Dura was appointed Bishop of Potenza on 2 March 1722. He died in March 1740. Ritzler, V, p. 149, with note 6; p. 323, with note 9. (1722–1727) : Pietro SavastaniSavastani was a native of Naples. He was a lecturer in theology and Provincial of the Neapolitan Province. He was nominated to the diocese of Castellammare di Stabia by King Philip V of Spain, on 30 May 1722, and approved by Pope Innocent XIII on 23 September 1722. He was consecrated a bishop in Rome by Cardinal Lorenzo Corsini on 27 September. He died in Naples in August 1727. Ritzler, V, p. 149, with note 7. (1727–1729) : Tommaso Di GraziaDi Grazia: Ritzler, V, p. 149, with note 8. (1730–1743) : Tommaso FalcoiaFalcoia was born in Naples. He obtained a doctorate in philosophy and theology from the University of Rome, La Sapienza (1730). He had already been Master of Novices, Procurator General and Praepositus General of his Order, the Congregatio Piorum Operorum. The King of Naples nominated him to the diocese of Castellamare di Stabia on 16 August 1730, he was approved by the Pope on 2 October, and he was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Niccolò Spinola on 8 October 1730. He died on 20 April 1743. Ritzler, VI, p. 154, with note 2. (1743–1749) : Pio Tommaso MilanteBorn in Naples, Milante was a Master of theology (1732), and lectured at the University of Naples. He was Royal Theologian. He was nominated bishop by the King on 16 May 1743, approved by the Pope on 15 July, and consecrated in Rome by Archbishop Stefano Assemani on 28 July 1743. Ritzler, VI, p. 154, with note 3. (1749–1767) : Giuseppe CoppolaCoppola was born in Naples, and was a Doctor of theology (1742). He became Master of Novices and then Prefect of the House of the Oratory in Naples. He was nominated bishop of Aquila by the King of Naples on 17 April 1742, approved by Pope Benedict XIV on 25 May and was consecrated bishop in Rome on 26 May 1742 by Cardinal Troiano Aquaviva. He was nominated Bishop of Castellamare di Stabia by the King of Naples on 23 October 1749, and approved by Pope Benedict XIV on 1 December 1749. Ritzler, VI, p. 93, with note 2; p. 154, with note 4. (1768–1787) : Tommaso MazzaMazza was born in Montemilleto in the diocese of Benevento. He was Doctor in utroque iure (Civil Law and Canon Law) from the University of Naples (1746). He was Sacellanus of the King of the Two Sicilies, who nominated him Bishop of Ugento (1747–1768); he was consecrated in Rome on 16 April 1747 by Cardinal Joaquin de Portocarrero. He died in Naples on 5 April 1787. Ritzler, VI, p. 155, with note 5; p. 424, with note 5.