The Diocese of Noli () was a Roman Catholic diocese located in the town of Noli of Liguria, Italy, in the Province of Savona. It was established in 1237, on territory which had been taken from the diocese of Savona. In 1820, it was united with the Diocese of Savona to form the Diocese of Savona e Noli."Diocese of Noli" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved August 25, 2016"Diocese of Noli" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved August 25, 2016 The diocese was suppressed in 1986.

History

In 1239, Cardinal Giacomo da Pecorara, suburbicarian Bishop of Palestrina, was sent by Pope Gregory IX to France as papal legate, to deal with the Albigensian heresy.Giuseppe Gardoni, "Pecorara, Giacomo," , in: Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani Volume 82 (2015), § 7. When he stopped in Savona, he removed the parish of Noli from the diocese of Savona with papal authorization, and established a new diocese of Noli.Verzellino, pp. 207-208. He assigned it as a suffragan of the archdiocese of Genoa, which had been established by Pope Innocent II in 1133, even though Savona remained a suffragan of the diocese of Milan.Kehr VI. 2, p. 353: "Dioecesis Savonensis saec. XIII Naulum (Noli) cum sua parochia amisit, quam Gregorius IX a. 1239 propriam dioecesim esse voluit et cum Brugnatensi aeque principaliter univit. Nova Naulensis dioecesis tune Januensis archiepiscopi provinciae addicta est, Savonensi tamen episcopatu sub Mediolanensis archiepiscopi iurisdictione remanente." On 25 April 1249, Pope Innocent IV confirmed the city status of Noli, and the cathedral status of S. Paragorius.Verzellino, p. 208. Élie Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV Tome 2 (Paris: Thorin 1887), p. 64, no. 1152.

The cathedral was served and administered by a corporation called the Chapter, which, at Noli, was composed of one dignity (the Archpriest) and five canons. This arrangement continued through the end of the 18th century.Ritzler & Sefrin V, p. 280, note 1; VI, p. 302, note 1. When Noli was joined with Savona in 1820, the Chapter of Noli consisted of the Archpriest, the Dean, the Theologus, the Penitentiary, and four other canons.Calendario generale pe' Regii Stati pubblicato con autorità del Governo e con privilegio di S.S.R.M Vol. 33 (Torino 1846), p. 118.

The first bishop of Noli was Guglielmo Contardi, who had already been Bishop-elect of Brugnato, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Genoa, since 1230.Eubel I, p. 148 with note 1. Guglielmo was still bishop-elect on 13 January 1235, when Pope Gregory IX granted him the privilege of keeping the benefices which he had already acquired before being named bishop: Lucien Auvray, Les registres de Grégoire IX Tome 1 (Paris: Fontemoing 1896), p. 1248, no. 2386. In fact, Guglielmo was bishop-elect of both dioceses, aeque personaliter, from 1239 to 1245, when the two dioceses were separated by order of Pope Innocent IV.Cappelletti XIII, p. 513-515 (quoting the bull "In sacra Petri"). Semeria II, p. 321. The bishop was still bishop-elect on 13 August 1245, when he received the grant of the monastery of S. Eugenius on the island of Bergeggi, since the income of the bishop of Noli was inadequate: Élie Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV Tome 1 (Paris: Thorin 1884), p. 218, no. 1430. On 11 August 1247, Pope Innocent IV wrote to the archbishop of Genoa, informing him that the people of Noli were demanding a bishop of their own. Bishop-elect Guglielmo had already ceased to govern Noli, but had been appointed administrator in spiritual and temporal matters. The pope ordered the archbishop to install Frater Philippus, O.P., as their procurator.Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV Tome 1, p. 471, no. 3120. On 20 April 1249, Pope Innocent signed a bull directed to the bishop of Noli, "in sacra Petri", taking the Church of Saint Paragorius of Noli under the protection of S. Peter and himself, and confirming that Noli was a suffragan of the archdiocese of Genoa.Élie Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV Tome 2 (Paris: Thorin 1887), p. 64, no. 4452. On 6 February 1253, Pope Innocent wrote to the bishop of Noli, recalling that the monastery of S. Eugenius on the island of Bergaggi, which should have been handed over to the diocese of Noli, and which the archbishop of Genoa had ordered to be placed in the possession of the provost of Genoa, who was then bishop-elect of Noli (Philippus, O.P.), was being held by the podestà, council, and commune of Genoa, who were excluding all occupiers. The pope had ordered the monastery and island be restored to the bishop of Noli. In passing, the pope noted that Philippus' successor was deceased.Élie Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV Tome 3 (Paris: Thorin 1887), p. 169, no. 6296.

After his installation as bishop, Bishop Leonardo Trucco (1572–1587) realized that, after serving as Noli's cathedral for 330 years, San Paragorio was no longer adequate for the needs of the bishop and the diocese. It was outside the walls of the town and inconvenient of access. Bishop Trucco therefore wrote to Pope Gregory XIII, proposing that the episcopal seat be moved inside the city, to the church of S. Pietro. In an apostolic letter dated 22 October 1572, the pope granted the bishop's petition and authorized the transfer.Ughelli IV, pp. 1108-1110, quotes the entire papal letter. Semeria, pp. 332-333.

Joining of neighbors In 1710, the city of Noli had a population of c. 1100.Ritzler & Sefrin V, p. 280, note 1. In 1737, the population of the city had risen to c. 1300 persons.Ritzler & Sefrin VI, p. 302, note 1.

On 8 December 1820, with the bull "Dominici Gregis", Pope Pius VII joined the diocese of Savona and the diocese of Noli in one bishop, aeque personaliter under the title "Savonensis et Naulensis.": "Unus idcirco, idemque Savonensis et Naulensis nuncupandus episcopus ambarum ecclesiarum, et dioecesium curam geret, et administrationem, ac imposterum quilibet novus antistes semper possessionem capiet primum in Savonensi, et deinde in Naulensi ecclesiis...." He cited as justification the small number of faithful and the diocese of Noli's inadequate income."Dominici Gregis" § 2: "Haec Nos mente reputavimus cum statura accepimus Naulensis episcopalis ecclesiae, quae scilicet quinque mille dumtaxat Christifideles in tota civitate, ac dioecesi percenset, et cujus mensa perexiguum exhibet redditum trium millium nongentarum circiter librarum monetae illarum partium...."

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 Savona and Noli be merged into one diocese with one bishop, with the Latin title "Dioecesis Savonensis-Naulensis". The seat of the diocese was to be in Savona, whose cathedral was to serve as the cathedral of the merged diocese. The cathedral in Noli was to have the honorary title of "co-cathedral"; the Chapter of Noli was to be a Capitulum Concathedralis. There was to be only one diocesan Tribunal, in Savona, and likewise one seminary, one College of Consultors, and one Priests' Council. The territory of the new diocese was to include the territory of the suppressed diocese. The new diocese was a suffragan of the archdiocese of Genoa.Acta Apostolicae Sedis 79 (Città del Vaticano 1987), pp. 780-783.

Bishops of Noli Erected: 1239 Latin Name: Naulensis

from 1239 to 1502

Guglielmo (1239–1245) Bishop-electAfter the diocese of Brugnato and the diocese of Noli were separated in 1245, by decree of Pope Innocent IV (Fieschi), Guglielmo continued on as Administrator of the diocese until 1247. Philippus, O.P. (1247– ? )Philippus was consecrated by Archbishop Giovanni di Cogorno of Genoa and his predecessor Bishop Guglielmo. Semeria II, p. 321. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 358. Anonymous (dead before 6 February 1253)Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV III, p. 169, no. 6296. Pastor (attested 1263)Pastor: Semeria, p. 322. Eubel I, p. 358. Ugolinus (attested 1292)Ugolinus: Semeria, p. 322. Eubel I, p. 358. Sinibaldus (1317– ? )Sinibaldus (Signembaldus) had previously been bishop of Ymeriensis. Following the death of Bishop Ugolinus, the Chapter of Noli voted to have the pope assign Signembaldus. Though Pope John XXII rejected their postulatio, he nonetheless appointed Sinibaldus, on 9 September 1317. G. Mollat and G. de Lesquen, Jean XXII. Lettres communes, Tome 2 (Paris: Fontemoing 1905), p. 2, no. 5517. Semeria, p. 323. Eubel I, p. 358. Theodescus Spinola, O.P. (1328–1345 ?)Following the death of Bishop Sinibaldus at the papal court, Thedescus de Spinulis, O.P. was appointed by Pope John XXII, on 27 April 1328; the pope had made a general reservation to himself of all the churches in the ecclesiastical province of Genoa. Theodescus was ordered removed from office by Antipope Nicholas V. Semeria, pp. 324-325. Eubel I, p. 358 with note 4. G. Mollat, Jean XXII. Lettres communes Vol. 7 (Paris: E. de Boccard 1919), p. 235, no. 41002. Amadeus d'Alba (1346–1360 ? ) Luchino di Guidobono, O.F.M. (21 July 1360 – 1396)Luchino was named archbishop of Naupactus (Greece). Semeria, pp. 326-327. Eubel I, pp. 358. Corrado da Cloaco (13 September 1396 - ? ) Roman ObedienceCorrado was named bishop of Naupactus in 1 Eubel I, p. 358, 362. Leonardo da Felizzano, O.P. (4 November 1405 - ?) Avignon Obedience Francesco (22 January 1406 - ?) Avignon Obedience Marco (23 March 1406 - after 1409) Roman Obedience Giovanni (attested 1414) Marco Vigerio, O.Min. (attested 1437)Vigerio had been the teacher of Francesco della Rovere, who became Pope Sixtus IV in 1471. Semeria, p. 328. Giorgio Fieschi (Flisco) (1447–1448 Resigned) in commendamCardinal Fieschi (1439–1461), Archbishop of Genoa (1436–1439): Cappelletti XIII, p. 517. Eubel II, pp. 8 no, 9; 167; 200. Paolo Giustiniani (1460–1485 Died) Domenico Vaccari (1485–1502)Vaccari had been a canon of the cathedral Chapter of Genoa. He was named bishop of Noli on 2 December 1485 by Pope Innocent VIII (Cibo, of Genoa). He was appointed Bishop of Ventimiglia on 24 January 1502 by Pope Alexander VI (Borgia). Ughelli IV, p. 1007. Semeria, p. 329. Eubel II, p. 200, 268.

from 1502 to 1820