Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Foggia–Bovino

The Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino (Latin: Archidioecesis Fodiana-Bovinensis) is a Latin archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Apulia, southern Italy, created by promoting the bishopric of Foggia in 1979, and merging with the bishopric of Bovina in 1986, whose name was included in its title.

Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino Archidioecesis Fodiana-Bovinensis
Foggia Cathedral
Location
Country	Italy
Ecclesiastical province	Foggia-Bovino
Statistics
Area	1,666 km2 (643 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2019) 210,895 210,700 (guess)
Parishes	54
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	25 June 1855 (169 years ago)
Cathedral	Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta in Cielo (Iconavetere), Foggia
Co-cathedral	Basilica Concattedrale di S. Maria Assunta, Bovino
Secular priests	77 diocesan 37 (religious orders) 13 Permanent Deacons
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Archbishop	Giorgio Ferretti
Bishops emeritus	Francesco Pio Tamburrino Vincenzo Pelvi
Map
Website
www.diocesifoggiabovino.it

Co-cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, in Bovino

History

In March 1731, the territory of Foggia was the victim of a major earthquake. A third of the city was destroyed, and the ecclesiastical infrastructure suffered major damage. The major church (later the cathedral) was ruined, the monastery of the Annunziata and the monastery of Santa Chiara were partially destroyed, the convent of the Capuchins was heavily damaged, as was that of the Pentite. The palace of the bishop of Troia was damaged. The number of dead exceeded 500. It also suffered in the earthquakes of 1866 and 1882.^[1]

The Diocese of Foggia (Latin Name: Fodiana) was established by Pope Pius IX on 25 June 1855, in the bull Ex hoc Summi Pontificis,^[2] on territory split off from the Diocese of Troia. The diocese, like the diocese of Troia, was exempt, i.e. immediately subject to the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province. Troia was 30 km or 19 mi from Foggia, a point remarked on by Pope Pius.

The collegiate church of S. Maria in Foggia was raised to the dignity of a cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Body of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. It was administered by a corporate body called the Chapter, composed of four dignities (the Archpriest, the Primicerius, the Cantor, and the Treasurer) and eighteen canons. There were also six beneficed "mansionarii", who saw to the daily routine of religious services. The cathedral was also a parish church, whose parishioners were under the care of the Archpriest.^[3] The city had four other churches, one of which contained a wonder-working statue of the Sorrowful Virgin Mary; five convents of mendicant friars, and three establishments of monks.^[4]

On 14 December 1974, Pope Paul VI appointed Giuseppe Lenotti, the Bishop of Foggia (1962–1979), to be at the same time Bishop of Bovino, aeque personaliter. On the same day, he was then also named Bishop of Troia.^[5] On 4 April 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed as successor to Bishop Lenotti, Bishop Salvatore De Giorgi, with the title of metropolitan archbishop of Foggia, Bovino, and Troia.^[6]

On 30 April 1979, the diocese was promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Foggia (Latin Name: Fodiana-Bovinensis). It was assigned as suffragan dioceses: Siponto, Troia, Asculum et Cerinola, Bovino, Lucera, and S. Severo.^[7]

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.^[8]

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 Foggio e Bovino be merged into one diocese with one bishop, with the Latin title Archidioecesis Fodiana-Bovinensis. The seat of the diocese was to be in Foggia, and the cathedral of Foggia was to serve as the cathedral of the merged dioceses. The cathedral in Bovino was to become a co-cathedral, and the cathedral Chapter was to be a Capitulum Concathedralis. There was to be only one diocesan Tribunal, in Foggia, 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 former diocese of Bovino.^[9] Foggia also gained territory from the Archdiocese of Manfredonia.^[10][11]

The Chapter of the cathedral of Foggia currently (2022) consists of a president and four canons.^[12]

Ecclesiastical province

Since 1986, the metropolitan archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino has had the following Suffragan sees:

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Lucera-Troia
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo
• Roman Catholic Diocese of San Severo

Bishops and archbishops

Bishops of Foggia

• Bernardino Maria Frascolla (24 February 1856 – 30 December 1869)^[13]
• Geremia Cosenza, O.F.M. (1872 – 1882)^[14]
• Domenico Marinangeli (27 March 1882 – 16 January 1893)^[15]
• Carlo Mola, C.O. (12 June 1893 – 29 April 1909)^[16]
• Salvatore Bella (29 April 1909 – 17 December 1920)^[17]
• Pietro Pomares y Morant (27 August 1921 – 16 October 1924)^[18]
• Fortunato Maria Farina (18 December 1924 – 1 February 1954 Retired)^[19]
• Giuseppe Amici (1 February 1954 – 1 February 1955)^[20]
• Paolo Carta (9 March 1955 – 22 March 1962)^[21]
• Giuseppe Lenotti (18 April 1962 – 30 April 1979)^[22]

Auxiliary Bishop: Mario De Santis (14 December 1974 – 17 January 1985)

Metropolitan Archbishops of Foggia

• Giuseppe Lenotti (see above 30 April 1979 – 28 January 1981)
• Salvatore De Giorgi (4 April 1981 – 30 September 1986 see below)^[23]

Metropolitan Archbishops of Foggia-Bovino

• Salvatore De Giorgi (see above 30 September 1986 – 10 October 1987)^[24]
• Giuseppe Casale (7 May 1988 – 27 May 1999)^[25]
• Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio (27 May 1999 – 8 March 2003)^[26]
• Francesco Pio Tamburrino, O.S.B.Subl. (2003 – 2014)^[27]
• Vincenzo Pelvi (11 October 2014 – 18 November 2023 retired)^[28]
• Giorgio Ferretti (18 November 2023 –

See also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Bovino
• List of Catholic dioceses in Italy

References

1. Mario Baratta (1901). I terremoti d'Italia [Earthquakes in Italy] (in Italian). Turin: Fratelli Bocca. pp. 217–219, 807.
2. Collezione degli atti emanati dopo la pubblicazione del Concordato dell'anno 1818 Parte decimaquarta (Napoli: Stamperia dell'Iride, 1857), pp. 110-131 (Latin text, with Italian translation).
3. Cappelletti XXI, p. 481.
4. Cappelletti XXI, p. 482.
5. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 67 (Città del Vaticano 1975), p. 343: "die 14 Decembris 1974- — Cathedrali Ecclesiae Bovinensi Exc. P. D. Iosephum Lenotti, Episcopum Fodianum." "Cathedrali Ecclesiae Troianae Exc. P. D. Iosephum Lenotti, Episcopum Fodianum et Bovinensem."
6. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 73 (Città del Vaticano 1981), p. 429: "die 4 Aprilis. — Metropolitanae Ecclesiae Fodianae atque Cathedralibus Ecclesiis Bovinensi et Troianae Exc.mum P. D. Salvatorem De Giorgi, hactenus Episcopum Uritanum".
7. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 71 (Città del Vaticano 1979), pp. 563-564: "Novam vero condimus ecclesiasticam provinciam Fodianam nominandam, quae constabit tum Ecclesia Fodiana hodie metropolitana facta tum hisce ei suffraganeis Ecclesiis: Sipontina, quae dignitatem sedis archiepiscopalis sibi servabit; Troiana, Apostolicae Sedi immediate adhuc subiecta; Asculana et Ceriniolensi, Bovinensi, Lucerina et Sancti Severi, quae ad hunc usque diem metropolitanae Ecclesiae Beneventanae suffraganeae erant; Vestana, quae usque ad praesens suffraganea erat metropolitanae Ecclesiae Sipontinae."
8. 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."
9. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 79 (Città del Vaticano 1987), pp. 710-712.
10. "Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved October 7, 2016
11. "Metropolitan Archdiocese of Foggia–Bovino" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved October 7, 2016
12. Arcidiocesi di Foggia-Bovino, "Capitoli"; retrieved: 6 November 2022.
13. Born in Andria in 1811, Frascolla had been a canon of the cathedral of Troia, and Rector of the seminary. He was appointed bishop on 24 February 1856, and consecrated at the Minerva in Rome on 22 June. He was arrested in 1862, and tried for suspicion of anti-governmental activity. Convicted, he was deported to Como, where he served time in the Prison of S. Donnino. From 1864 to 1866, he was under house arrest, first in his palace and then at the seminary. He died in Rome on 30 December 1869, while attending the First Vatican Council. Cappelletti XXI, p. 481. Alessandro da Crecchio, Schizzo biografico di monsignor Bernardino Maria Frascolla, Vescovo di Foggia (in Italian), (Roma: tip . Salviucci 1870). Villani, pp. 226-228.
14. Cosenza was born at Rocca Scalegna (diocese of Lanciano) in 1807. He became an Observant Franciscan in 1825, and in that Order he was Visitor General of the Province of Lucania and the Abruzzi. He was a teacher of theology and Rector of the seminary of Squillace, and pro-sinodal examinator in the diocese of Squillace. He was named bishop of Foggia on 23 February 1872. He died on 15 March 1882. Costantino da Valcamonica (1872), L'ordine serafico nel Concilio Vaticano, (in Italian), (Venezia: Tipografia Emiliana, 1872), p. 39. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, p. 273.
15. Marinangeli was later Titular Archbishop of Nazareth (16 January 1893–8 January 1898) and Metropolitan Archbishop of Trani (16 January 1893– retired 8 January 1898), Archbishop of Barletta (Italy) (16 January 1893–retired 8 January 1898), Apostolic Administrator of Bisceglie (Italy) (16 January 1893–8 January 1898); in retirement he held the honorary title of Latin Titular Patriarch of Alexandria (1898–1921) He died on 6 March 1921. Ritzler & Sefrin Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 87, 273, 561. He published a revision of a speech in which he proved that theology is the mother and corrector of the sciences: Discorso recitato al IV Congresso Cattolico di Napoli da Mons. Domenico Marinangeli, Vescovo di Foggia (Bologna: Tip. e Libr. Archvescovile 1883); Annali degli avvocati di San Pietro periodico religioso, scientifico, legale... Anno VI, No. 9 (Roma: 1 May 1884), p. 193-194.
16. Mola became Titular Bishop of Sasima, from 29 April 1909, until his death on 8 January 1914.
17. Bella was transferred by Pope Benedict XV to be Bishop of Acireale on 17 December 1920. He died on 29 March 1922.
18. Pomares was transferred to the archdiocese of Bari e Canosa by Pope Pius XI on 16 October 1924. He died on 14 December 1924.
19. Farina was previously Bishop of Troia (1919–1924). He was appointed bishop of Foggia on 18 December 1924, by Pope Pius XI. On retirement, on 1 February 1954, he became Titular Archbishop of Hadrianopolis in Honoriade. He died on 20 February 1954. Angelo G. Dibisceglia (1975), "Foggia tra primo e secondo dopoguerra. L’episcopato di Fortunato Maria Farina tra confronti e scontri," (in Italian), in: Vita Ecclesiale. Rivista dell’Arcidiocesi di Foggia-Bovino, N.S., XXXVI (2010) 1, pp. 181-195.
20. Amici had been Coadjutor Bishop of Foggia and Bishop of Troia from 15 May 1951 to 1 February 1955). In 1955, he was transferred by Pope Pius XII to the diocese of Cesena (1955–1956). Later he was Metropolitan Archbishop of Modena and Abbot Ordinary of the Territorial Abbey of Nonantola from 23 December 1956, until his retirement on 7 February 1976. He died on 21 March 1977.
21. Carta was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Sassari (Sardinia, Italy) (22 March 1962 – 18 March 1982). He died in 1996.
22. Archbishop Lenotti had previously been Bishop of Bova (8 September 1960 – 18 April 1962). He was also Bishop of Troia (14 December 1974 – 28 January 1981)
23. De Giorgi was previously Titular Bishop of Tulana (21 November 1973–29 November 1975), qualifying him to be Auxiliary Bishop of Oria. He was promoted Coadjutor Bishop of Oria on 29 November 1975, succeeding as Bishop of Oria on 17 March 1978. He was appointed Bishop of Bovino as well as Bishop of Troia (Italy) on 4 April 1981. On 30 September 1986, the province was reorganized, and he became Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino.
24. De Giorgi was later Metropolitan Archbishop of Taranto (1987–1990), General Ecclesiastical Assistant of Catholic Action (1990–1996), Metropolitan Archbishop of Palermo (4 April 1996–19 December 2006). He was named Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli, by Pope John Paul II on 21 February 1998.
25. Casale had previously been the 'last' bishop with the title of Capaccio e Vallo della Lucania (26 October 1974 – 30 September 1986), which was renamed the diocese of Vallo della Lucania (30 September 1986 – 7 May 1988) Casale retired in 1999, and became Bishop Emeritus of Foggia-Bovino.
26. D'Ambrosio had previously been Bishop of Termoli–Larino (14 December 1989–27 May 1999). He was Apostolic Administrator of Manfredonia–Vieste–San Giovanni Rotondo (2002–2003), before succeeding as Archbishop of Manfredonia–Vieste–San Giovanni Rotondo on 8 March 2003, He retired on 16 April 2009, while remaining as Apostolic Administrator until 15 July. He was Metropolitan Archbishop of Lecce from 16 April 2009 until his retirement on 29 September 2017.
27. Tamburrino was previously Abbot Ordinary of Montevergine (1989–1998). He was named Bishop of Teggiano–Policastro on 14 February 1998, and was appointed Secretary of Roman Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on 27 April 1999. He retired on 2 August 2003 and was given the honorary title of Archbishop ad personam.
28. Born in Naples in 1948, Pelvi was previously Titular Bishop of Thinisa in Numidia on 11 December 1999 to qualify him as Auxiliary Bishop of Napoli (Naples). On 14 October 2006, he was appointed Archbishop Military Ordinary of Italy, which he resigned on 11 August 2013. He was Metropolitan Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino from 11 October 2014 until his retirement on 18 November 2023.

Bibliography

• Caggese, Romolo (1910). Foggia e la Capitanata. (in Italian). Bergamo: Istituto italiano d'arti grafiche, 1910.
• Cappelletti, Giuseppe (1870). Le chiese d'Italia dalla loro origine sino ai nostri giorni (in Italian). Vol. vigesimoprimo (21). Venezia: Antonelli. pp. 479–481.
• Dibisceglia, Angelo G. (2005). L’episcopato a Foggia. (in Italian), Relazione alle Giornate di Studio «Dalle radici ai frutti» nel 150° anniversario della istituzione della Diocesi di Foggia (Foggia - Aula Magna della Facoltà di Giurisprudenza - 12 novembre 2005)
• Di Gioia, Michele (1975). Il Duomo di Foggia: (appunti per la storia e l'arte). (in Italian). Volume 2 of Archivum Fodianum. Foggia: Ed. Apulis, 1975.
• Lattanzio, Valerio. Cattedrale di Foggio (tesi, Università di Foggia) [self-published]
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1968). Hierarchia Catholica medii et recentioris aevi (in Latin). Vol. VII (1800–1846). Monasterii: Libreria Regensburgiana.
• Remigius Ritzler; Pirminus Sefrin (1978). Hierarchia catholica Medii et recentioris aevi (in Latin). Vol. VIII (1846–1903). Il Messaggero di S. Antonio.
• Villani, Carlo (1913). Cronistoria de Foggia (1848-1870). (in Italian). Forni, 1913.

External links

• Gabriel Chow, GCatholic.org, with Google map and satellite photo^{[self-published source]}

41.4667°N 15.5667°E / 41.4667; 15.5667