Roman Catholic Diocese of Asti

The Diocese of Asti (Latin: Dioecesis Astensis) is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in Piedmont, northern Italy, centered in the city of Asti. It has been a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Turin since 1515.^[1][2] Previous to that, it was a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Milan.

Diocese of Asti Dioecesis Astensis
Asti Cathedral
Location
Country	Italy
Ecclesiastical province	Turin
Statistics
Area	1,451 km2 (560 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2015) 162,257 152,000 (est.) (93.7%)
Parishes	126
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	3rd century
Cathedral	Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta
Secular priests	94 (diocesan) 32 (Religious Orders) 12 Permanent Deacons
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Marco Prestaro
Bishops emeritus	Francesco Ravinale
Map
Website
www.webdiocesi.chiesacattolica.it

The diocese lost territory in 1175, when the diocese of Alessandria was created. It lost a considerable amount of its ancient territory when the diocese of Mondovì was established in 1388 by Urban VI.^[3] It lost territory again when the diocese of Casale was created in 1474, and again in 1511 at the creation of the diocese of Saluzzo. In 1592 the diocese of Fossano was assigned more of Asti's territory.^[4]

History

There has been some controversy as to the beginning of the Diocese of Asti and the episcopate of St. Evasius, once placed by some at much earlier dates.^[5] The diocese of Asti itself fixes the beginning of the diocese in the 5th century.^[6]

Scholars have suggested that more than one figure came to melt into the tale of St. Evasius, thus making it extremely difficult to use the existing material as an historical source. The situation is so confused that some historians list five different Saint Evasiuses. Lanzoni notes a purported Evasius in 261, another in 364, a third in 389, a fourth in 419, and the fifth in the time of King Liutprand (712–744). A catalogue of bishops of Asti, written in 1606, assigns him a date of 783.^[7]

The first known bishop of Asti was Pastor in 451. Bishop Audax (904-926) obtained the confirmation of the liberties of the Church of Asti from King Berengarius, and was a friend of Rudolph of Burgundy. He sought to have hisCanons called "cardinals", as they were at S, Eusebio in Vercelli.^[8]

The bishops of Asti were feudatory vassals of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Counts (Dukes) of Savoy.^[9] In turn, they were feudal overlords of fiefs belonging to Corveglia, Castellinaldo, Montaldo Roero, Monteu Roero, Piea, Monticelli, Pocapaglia, Govone, Vezza, Cellarengo, S. Vittoria, S. Stefano Roero, Piobesi, Magliano, Cossombrato, Castagnito. and Castellino de Voltis.^[10]

Also subject to the Bishop of Asti were the abbeys of Santi Apostoli, S. Anastasio, and S. Cristoforo in the city of Asti, S. Bartolomeo de Azano, and S. Dalmazio de Pedona. The bishops had also been given the monastery of S. Maria de Caramania in the diocese of Turin by Pope Calixtus II (1119–1124).^[11] There was a house of the Knights Templar in Asti, called the Domus Hospitalis Soldani, as early as 1182; it belonged to the Lombard province and came to an end, along with the Templars, in 1312.^[12]

In the 14th century, the city of Asti became subject to the Kings of Naples, and then to the Visconti of Milan. Galeozzo Visconti gave Asti to Louis of Valois, Duke of Orleans, son of King Charles V of France. Asti became part of the French kingdom until it was handed over to the Duchy of Savoy in 1575.

The French Republic and Napoleonic Empire

During the French occupation, between 1802 and 1805, Piedmont was annexed to metropolitan France and divided into six departments: Ivrea or Doire (Dora), Marengo, Po or Eridan, Sofia, Stura, and Tanaro. Asti was made the capital of the French department of Tanaro.^[13] At the imperial reorganization in 1805 and then from 1805 to 1814 it was part of the department of Marengo, whose capital was at Alessandria.^[14] The department was under the jurisdiction of a French Prefect.

The French government, in the guise of ending the practices of feudalism, confiscated the incomes and benefices of the bishops and priests and made them employees of the state, with a fixed income and the obligation to swear an oath of loyalty to the French constitution. As in metropolitan France, the government program also included reducing the number of bishoprics and making them conform as far as possible with the civil administration's "departments". In accordance with the Concordat of 1801, and at the demand of the First Consul N. Bonaparte, Pope Pius VII was compelled to issue the bull Gravissimis causis (1 June 1803),^[15] in which the number of dioceses in Piedmont was reduced from seventeen to eight: Turin, Vercelli, Ivrea, Acqui, Asti, Mondovi, Alessandria and Saluzzo. The details of the new geographical divisions were left in the hands of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Caprara, the Papal Legate in Paris. In 1805 the diocese of Alba (Pompeia) was suppressed and its territory was entrusted to the Bishop of Asti.^[16] Cardinal Caprara issued his instructions for the reordering of the parishes of the diocese of Asti on 23 January 1805.^[17]

When Bishop Pietro Arborio Gattinara died in January 1809, the Emperor of the French, Napoleon I, nominated as bishop of Asti François-André Dejean, but he could not obtain his bulls from Rome, and then Pius VII became a prisoner of the French government. Dejean served as Vicar Capitular, though without proper credentials, governing the Church of Asti and Alba until 1814. With the end of the French Empire, Dejean was expelled from Asti, which he had been holding illegitimately; he was sent to Ivrea, where he remained for a year before being repatriated to France, where he died in 1820.^[18]

After Waterloo, the Congress of Vienna agreed to the restoration of the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Papal States, both of which were in a state of disarray because of French political and administrative actions. The confused situation of the dioceses in Piedmont was addressed by Pope Pius VII in his bull Beati Petri (17 July 1817),^[19] as far as the redrawing of diocesan boundaries was concerned.^[20]

Following the restoration, the new Bishop of Asti, Antonio Faà di Bruno, fell afoul of the forces of reaction and of constitutionalism by making imprudent remarks about Constitutionalism in Spain. Pope Pius VII had him relegated to a monastery, and Faà never took possession of his diocese, as he records in his own memorial inscription in the Gesù in Rome.^[21] Asti was thus without a bishop for two decades.

Synods

A diocesan synod was an important legislative and disciplinary tool available to a bishop. In the company of his priests he could introduce new legislation from outside the diocese, from provincial councils, from general church councils, and from the Papacy. He could issue his own decrees, and publicly require cooperation with church policies.^[22]

The earliest synod of which there is any record is that held by Bishop Guido de Valperga (1295–1327) on 7 May 1316. Another was held by Bishop Arnaldus de Roseto (1327–1348) in May 1328. Bishop Scipio Damiani (1469–1473) held his first synod in 1471, and Bishop Basinus Malabaila (1473–1475) on 21 August 1474. Another was held by Bishop Pietro Damiani (1475–1496) at the beginning of his episcopate; he held a second synod in the Episcopal Palace on 8 March 1485.^[23]

Bishop Domenico della Rovere (1569–1587) published the Constitutions of his fourth diocesan synod of 15 April 1578, and of his eighth diocesan synod of 1584. Bishop Franciscus Panicarola (1587–1594) published the decrees of his first diocesan synod of 30 August 1588; his second was held on 7 November 1591 and his third on 18 November 1593; he had announced a fourth, but died before it was held. These synods were important for the implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent.^[24]

Bishop Giovanni Stefano Ajazza (1596–1618) published Constitutions and decrees from his first diocesan synod held on 23 October 1597; he took care to have his own and papal decrees published in Italian translation; he held his second synod on 24 October 1601, and his third on 19 April 1605. Bishop Isidoro Pentorio, (1619–1622) held a synod in 1620. Others were held by Bishop Ottavio Broglia (1624–1647) on 22 April 1627, 17 May 1634, 5 November 1643, and in 1646; by Bishop Paolo Vincenzo Roveria (1655–1665) on 13 December 1660; by Bishop Marco Antonio Tomati (1666–1693) on 14 April 1670 and in 1677; by Bishop Innocenzo Migliavacca (1693–1714) in 1699; by Bishop Giovanni Todone (1727–1739) on 29 August 1730; and by Bishop Paolo Caissotti (1762–1786) on 29 June 1785. Statutes and decrees were published in each case.^[25]

Cathedral and Chapter

The original cathedral was destroyed in 1073. Its successor was dedicated by Pope Urban II, perhaps in 1096.^[26] The third was begun by Bishop Guido de Valperga (1295–1327) in 1295, or perhaps in 1309 or 1323 or 1333.^[27] It was completed in 1768.^[28]

View of Asti and the Collegiata di San Secondo – Antonio Bignoli 1857.

Bishop Hilduinus had been present at the election of the Emperor Charles the Bald as King of Italy in 876, and had consented to the regulations enacted at the time. One of them declared that bishops should provide next to their cathedral an enclosed space (claustrum) in which they and their clergy should serve God according to a Canonical Rule.^[29] No evidence indicates whether his commitment went beyond his signature, but Canons existed in Asti thirty years later. On 7 May 907, Pope Sergius III confirmed, at Bishop Audax' own request, all the possessions, rights and privileges which Bishop Audax had granted to the Canons.^[30] On 25 July 1169, the Canons themselves obtained a papal bull from Pope Alexander II, taking their corporation and its property under the protection of the Holy See. The bull lists a considerable number of estates and properties that belonged to the Cathedral Chapter at that time.^[31]

One of the celebrated members of the Chapter was the Archpriest Uberto de Cocconato, who became a Cardinal in 1261 and participated in four papal elections and the Second Council of Lyon (1274).^[32]

In 1693 the Cathedral Chapter consisted of four dignities and fifteen Canons.^[33] The dignities were: the Archdeacon, the Provost, the Archpriest and the Cantor.^[34] By 1757 the number of Canons had increased to twenty-four.^[35]

There were also three collegiate churches in Asti. The first, the Collegiate Church of San Secondo,^[36] had a Chapter headed by a Provost and a Cantor, with ten Canons. A second was S. Martino, the third S. Paolo, which had Chaplains instead of Canons.^[37] They were all abolished in the 19th century.^[38]

Seminary

The Council of Trent in its 23rd Session, meeting on 15 July 1563, issued a decree whose 18th chapter required that every diocese have a seminary for the training of clergy.^[39] A seminary was therefore opened in Asti in 1577 by Bishop Domenico della Rovere in a house next to the church of S. Ilario, which had once been a parish church but had been suppressed and united with the Cathedral in 1565. Initial funding came from a 10% tax on all benefices in the diocese (cancelled in 1588), but eventually an endowment was created by attaching fourteen churches to the seminary to provide incomes for the clerics. The seminary had to be closed between 1630 and 1642, due to the war between France and the Emperor Charles V, fought mostly in Savoy. The number of students was supposed to be twenty-five, but in 1695 there were only twelve, and the premises were in a state of neglectful disrepair. Bishop Innocenzo Milliavacca (1693–1714), at the diocesan synod of November 1695, issued a set of statutes for the seminary and undertook repairs, and in 1699 the building was rededicated. In 1742 there were (from most advanced to least) 16 students in theology, 14 in philosophy, 2 in rhetoric, 16 in the humanities, and 9 in grammar. By 1762 the old building was completely decrepit, and Bishop Paolo Maurizio Caisotti, at the very beginning of his episcopate in 1762, launched the construction of a completely new building, which was completed in 1775. From 1764 to 1890 the seminary was under the direction of the Congregation of Oblate Priests of S. Eusebio of Villafranca d'Asti.^[40]

Bishops of Asti

to 1300

• Pastor (c. 451)^[41]

...

• Maiorianus (c. 465)^[42]

...

• Benenatus (c. 680)^[43]

...

• Bernulfus (c. 800)^[44]

...

• Hilduinus (Ildoinus) (c. 876–c. 880)
• Josephus (881–887)^[45]
• Staurax (c. 892–899)
• Eilolfus (c. 901-902)
• Audax (904-926)^[46]
• Brunengus (937–964)^[47]
• Rozone (967–989)^[48]
• Petrus (991–1004)^[49]
• Alricus (1008 – Dec 1036)^[50]
• Obertus (c. 1037)^[51]
• Petrus (1040–1043)^[52]
• Guglielmo (1044–1049?)^[53]
• Wibertinus (attested 1046)^[54]
• Guido (attested 1049)^[55]
• Girelmo (c. 1054–c. 1065)^[56]
• Ingo (c. 1066–c. 1080)^[57]
• Ottone (1080–after 1098)^[58]
• Landolfo (1103–1132)^[59]
• Ottone (1133–1142)^[60]
• Nazarius (attested 1143)^[61]
• Anselmus (1148–1172)^[62]
• Guilelmus (1173–1191)^[63]
• Nazarius (1192–1196)^[64]
• Bonifatius (1198–1206)^[65]
• Guidotto
• Jacobus Porta
• Umbertus (Obertus)^[66]
• Bonifatius de Cocconato (1243–1260)
• Conradus de Cocconato (1260–1282)^[67]
• Obertus (1282–1293)^[68]

Sede vacante (1294–1295)^[69]

• Guido de Valperga (1295–1327)^[70]

from 1300 to 1600

• Arnaldus de Roseto (1327–1348)^[71]
• Baldratus Malabayla (1348–1355)^[72]
• Joannes Malabayla (1355–1376)^[73]
• François Morozzi (1376–1380 Died)
• Antonius de Viali (1380–1381)^[74] (Roman Obedience)
• Franciscus Galli (Avignon Obedience)
• Joannes, Patriarch of Antioch (Administrator) (Avignon Obedience)
• Albertus Guttuario d'Agliano (1409–1439)^[75]
• Bernardo Landriani (1439–1446)^[76]
• Filippo Baudo Roero (1447–1469)
• Scipio Damiano (1469–1473)
• Basinus Malabaila (1473–1475)
• Pietro Damiani (1475–1496)
• Raphael de Ceva (1496–1499)
• Antonio Trivulzio (1499–1508)^[77]
• Albertino Roero (Rovere) (1508)^[78]
• Antonio Trivulzio^[79]
• Scaramuzza Trivulzio (Administrator) (1519)^[80]
• Vasino Malabayla (1519–1525 Died)
• Fernando de Gerona, O.S.A. (1525–1528 Appointed, Bishop of Venosa)
• Ambrogio Talento (1528–1528 Died)
• Agostino Trivulzio (1528–1529 Resigned)
• Scipione Roero (1529–1536 Died)
• Agostino Trivulzio (1536–1548 Died)
• Bernardino della Croce, B. (1547–1548 Appointed, Bishop of Como)
• Gaspare Capris (1550–1569 Died)
• Domenico della Rovere (bishop), O.P. (1569–1587 Died)
• Francesco Panigarola, O.F.M. (1587–1594)^[81]
• Caesar Benzio (1594–1595 Died)^[82][83]

from 1600 to 1900

• Giovanni Stefano Ajazza (1596–1618 Died)^[84][85]
• Isidoro Pentorio, B. (1619–1622 Died)^[86][87]
• Ottavio Broglia (1624–1647 Died)^[82][88]
• Paolo Vincenzo Roveria, B. (1655–1665 Died)^[82][89]
• Marco Antonio Tomati (1666–1693 Died)^[82][1]
• Innocenzo Migliavacca (Milliavacca), O. Cist. (1693–1714)^[90][91]

Sede vacante (1714–1727)^[92]

• Giovanni Todone (1727–1739)^[93]

Sede vacante (1739–1741)^[94]

• Giuseppe Filippo Felissano (1741–1757)^[95]
• Giovanni Filippo Antonio San Martini (1757–1761)^[96]
• Paolo Maurizio Caissotti, C.O. (1762–1786)^[97]
• Pietro Arborio Gattinara (1788–1809)^[98]

Sede vacante (1809–1818)

• Antonio Faà di Bruno (1818–1829)^[99]

Sede vacante (1829–1832)^[100]

• Michele Amatore Lobetti (1832–1840)^[101]
• Filippo Artico (1840–1859)^[102]

Sede vacante (1859–1867)

• Carlo Savio (1867–1881)^[103]
• Giuseppe Ronco (1881–1898 Died)

since 1900

• Giacinto Arcangeli (ov 1898–6 Feb 1909 Died)
• Luigi Spandre (1909–1932)^[104]
• Umberto Rossi (1932–1952 Died)
• Giacomo Cannonero (1952–1977 Died)
• Vito Nicola Cavanna (1977–1980 Died)
• Franco Sibilla (1980–1989 Resigned)
• Severino Poletto (1989–1999 Appointed, Archbishop of Turin)
• Francesco Guido Ravinale (2000–2018)^[105]
• Marco Prastaro (2018– )^[106]

Parishes

A list of the 107 parishes of the diocese, arranged by Vicariate as they were in 1894, was printed by Getano Bosio in Storia della Chiesa d'Asti.^[107] The modern diocese, which currently covers an area of 1,451 km², is divided into 128 parishes.^[108] The majority are in the Province of Asti, while the rest are divided between the provinces of Alessandria and Turin. Since 1980 the diocese has closed and consolidated thirteen parishes.^[1] The diocese of Asti maintains web pages listing the parishes in the diocese with mailing addresses.^[109] For a listing of parishes by province and commune see List of parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Asti.^[110]

Notes

1. "Diocese of Asti" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved February 29, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
2. "Diocese of Asti" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved February 29, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
3. Kehr, p. 170.
4. Bosio, pp. 102-107. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 109, the transfer of four areas.
5. "Diocese of Asti". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907, p. 18. Retrieved: 1 Apr. 2018.
6. Diocesi di Asti, Storia; retrieved: 2018-01-04.(in Italian) "La datazione più probabile dell’inizio della Diocesi è da fissarsi agli inizi del sec. V."
7. Lanzoni, pp. 833-834. The fifth Evasius is known only from a "molto favoloso" martyrology composed in the 9th century, that claims that Evasius was a bishop of Asti. Savio, Fedele (1884). Notizie storiche sopra S. Evasio martire: primo vescovo d'Asti e patrono di Casale Monferrato (in Italian). Torino: tip. B. Canonica e figli, eredi Binelli. Gams, p. 812, column 1 (calling the fifth Evasius by the name Evasinus). Savio, pp. 109-110; 114-124. Article from pms.wiki
8. Cipolla (1887), Di Audace vescovo, p. 57.
9. Bosio, pp. 148-196.
10. Bibliografia storica astense, p. 30, column 2 [= Manno, p. 373].
11. Kehr, pp. 173-174.
12. Kehr, p. 180.
13. Jean-Louis Masson (1984). Provinces, départements, régions: l'organisation administrative de la France d'hier à demain (in French). Paris: Fernand Lanore. pp. 340–341. ISBN 978-2-85157-003-1.
14. Rémi Fleurigeon, ed. (1806). Code administratif, ou Recueil par ordre alphabétique de matières, de toutes les lois nouvelles et anciennes, relatives aux fonctions administratives et de police, des préfets, sous-préfets, maires et adjoints, commissaires de police, et aux attributions des conseils de préfecture, de département, d'arrondissement communal et de municipalité, jusqu'au 1er. janvier 1806: avec les instructions et décisions des autorités supérieures, et la solution des principales difficultés ... (in French). Vol. seconde partie. Paris: Garnery. pp. 513–514.
15. Bullarii Romani continuatio, Summorum Pontificum Benedicti XIV, Clementis XIII, Clementis XIV, Pii VI, Pii VII, Leonis XII, Pii VIII constitutiones (in Latin). Vol. Tomus septimus. Prati: Typographia Aldina. 1850. pp. 443–447, no. CCVIII.
16. Cappelletti, XIV, p. 127.
17. A complete list of the parishes of the diocese of Asti in 1805 is printed by Bosio, pp. 134-138.
18. Cappelletti, XIV, pp. 127-128. Bibliografia storica astense, p. 18, column 2 [= Manno, p. 361].
19. Bullarii Romani continuatio, VII, pp. 1490-1503, § 8.
20. A list of the parishes included in the diocese of Asti from 1817 is printed by Bosio, pp. 139-141.
21. Cappelletti, XIV, p. 128: Episcopus Asten(sis) et Princeps, quam vivens non adeptus, hic requiem delegit, die X Novembr. MDCCCXXIX.
22. Bosio, pp. 485-497.
23. The constitutions and decrees of these synods were published by order of Bishop Scipione Roero in a collection, Constitutiones synodales Astenses (Asti 1539). See: Bibliografia storica astense (Torino: Paravia 1888), pp. 10-11.
24. Bibliografia storica astense (Torino: Paravia 1888), p. 11 column 2; p. 12 column 1.
25. Bibliografia storica astense, pp. 12-13.
26. Vassallo (1881), pp. 415-421, has demonstrated that the traditional date of 1094 is impossible, since the Pope was in France at that time.
27. Vassallo (1881), p. 421.
28. Bosio, p. 285.
29. Bosio, p. 276, with note 3: Ut episcopi in civitatibus suis proximum ecclesiae suae claustrum instituant in quo ipsi cum clero suo secundum canonicam regulam Deo militent.
30. Kehr, pp. 176-177, no. 1.
31. Bosio, pp. 279-280.
32. Bosio, p. 283.
33. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 102, note 1.
34. Ferdinando Ughelli (ed. U. Coleti), Italia sacra, editio secunda, Tomus IV (Venice: S. Coleti 1719), p. 334. The earliest known Provost is Elperadus, who subscribed himself in March 905 as Elperadus archipresbiter et prepositus canonicorum. Bosio, p. 286.
35. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 103, note 1.
36. Cappelletti, Vol XIV, pp. 81-85; 129.
37. Ughelli, p. 334.
38. Kehr, p. 179, 181: The monstery of S. Anastasio was suppressed in 1802; the monastery of S. Bartolomeo in 1801.
39. Gaetano Moroni (ed.), Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica, Volume LXXIX (Venezia: Tipografia Emiliana 1856), pp. 340-341.
40. Bosio, pp. 474-482.
41. In 451 Bishop Pastor attended a provincial synod in Milan. Savio, p. 116.
42. In 465 Majorian took part in a Roman synod of Pope Hilarius. Savio, pp. 116-117.
43. In 680 Bishop Benenatus attended a Roman synod. Savio, p. 117.
44. Bernulfus: Gams, p. 812, column 1.
45. Joseph had been elected bishop of Vercelli, and was consecrated by Archbishop Anspertus of Milan; he did not gain the approval of Pope John VIII, who, on 15 October 879 ordered him deposed. In 880, however, he was elected bishop of Asti by the clergy, and the petition of the people. He had the support of the Emperor Charles the Fat, and the Pope was finally induced to approve his election and installation in a letter of 15 February 881 to the Archbishop of Milan. His name occurs in a document of November 887. Savio, pp. 126-127. Kehr, p. 172 no. 1.
46. Audace: Savio, pp. 129-130.
47. Brunengus: In 945 and 946 he was Archchancellor of Kings Ugo and Lothar. In 962 the Emperor Otto I granted him a church in Pavia. Cipolla, Di Audace vescovo, p. 49-52, disposing of a false "Bishop Oberto". Savio, pp. 130-131. Schwartz, p. 92.
48. Rozone: Savio, pp. 131-133. Schwartz, pp. 92-93.
49. Schwartz, p. 93, indicates that the correct date for the beginning of Bishop Petrus' reign was between 20 April and 20 May 992. Petrus was upbraided by Pope Sylvester II for having refused to obey the summons to attend the synod of 1000. Gams, p. 812. Kehr, p. 173 nos. 4 and 5.
50. Bishop Alric (Adelricus) was the brother of Marchese Olderico Manfredi of Turin (or Susa). His reign began in May or June 1008. He issued a decree in favor of the church of S. Anastagio in Asti on 24 June 1008. Alric was consecrated in Rome by Pope John XVIII, thanks apparently to deceptive tactics. A complaint by Arnulf, the Archbishop of Milan, who claimed the right to consecrate Alric, led to armed conflict and a siege of Asti, which Alric and his brother lost, compelling them to submit themselves to the archbishop. According to Schwartz, p. 94, Bishop Alricus died at the Battle of Campo Malo in 1035. According to Savio, Alric took part in a Roman synod of Pope John XIX in December 1026. His latest document dates from 1034. Savio, pp. 134-136.
51. Obertus is known from a single document of 18 June 1037, where he is referred to by Conrad II as designatus episcopus... quem ipsi ecclesiae praeposuimus. Savio, p. 136. Schwartz, p. 94.
52. Bishop Petrus is first named in a document on 1 November 1040, and his last appearance is in a document of 30 June 1043. There is some possibility (Sembra piuttosto non improbabile) that Bishop Peter resigned in 1044 and retired to the monstery of S. Michele della Chiusa, where he became abbot. Savio, p. 137.
53. Guglielmo: Savio, pp. 137-139. Not mentioned by Schwartz, p. 94.
54. Bishop Wibertinus attended the Synod of Pavia on 25 October 1246. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIX (Venice: Antonius Zatta 1974) p. 618. Schwartz, p. 95.
55. Bishop Guido subscribed a bull of Pope Leo IX on 13 April 1049. Schwartz, p. 95.
56. At the beginning of 1059, Pope Nicholas II summoned Bishop Girelmo to the Roman Synod of 1059. Kehr, p. 173 no. 6. Savio, pp. 139-140.
57. Ingone was summoned to a Roman synod by Pope Gregory VII in a letter of 25 January 1074. He was a recipient of a letter sent by the same pope on 8 December 1075. Savio, pp. 140-142. Kehr, p. 173 nos. 8 and 9. Gams, p. 812, assigns the dates 1072–1079. Schwartz, pp. 95-96.
58. Bishop Otto first appears as a participant in the Council of Brixen on 25 June 1080. The latest document assigned to Bishop Otto (III) is dated 24 July 1098. Savio, pp. 142-142. Schwartz, pp. 96-98.
59. Landolfo de Vareglate died on 7 June 1132. Savio, pp. 142-144. Schwartz, p. 98.
60. Otto (IV) was present in Rome on 30 April 1133 at the condemnation of Anacletus II by Innocent II. Savio, pp. 147-148, finds reason to think Bishop Otto died on 25 July 1142.
61. Nazarius: Savio, pp. 148-150.
62. Anselmo's latest known document is dated 10 August 1172. Savio, 150-151.
63. The first notice of Bishop Guglielmo is dated 14 July 1173. He was transferred to the diocese of Ravenna on 11 February 1191 by Pope Clement III. Savio, pp. 151-152.
64. Nazario (II): Savio, p. 152.
65. Bonifacius: Savio, pp. 152-153. Eubel, I, p. 113.
66. Ubertus died on 28 September 1243. Eubel, I, p. 113.
67. Bishop Conradus died on 31 October 1282. Eubel, I, p. 113.
68. Bishop Oberto entered into an agreement with on 3 December 1283. On 14 May 1293 he nominated the Podestà of Monddovì. Savio, pp. 156-157.
69. The diocese was without a bishop as late as 20 July 1295: Savio, p. 157.
70. Guido died on 10 June 1327. His epitaph is given by Vassallo (1881), p. 426. Savio, p. 157. Eubel, I, p. 113.
71. Arnaldus was a native of Cahors (Narbonne, France), and had been a Canon of Saintes. He was first appointed as Administrator of the diocese of Asti, and then named its bishop by Pope John XXII. He died in 1348. Ferdinando Ughelli, Italia sacra Volume IV, p. 386. Boatteri, pp. 70-72. Eubel, I, p. 114, 115.
72. Baldraco Malabayla was a native of Asti. He was appointed Bishop of Asti by Pope Clement VI on 15 August 1348. Boatteri, pp. 72-74. Gaudenzio Claretta, "Gli Alfieri e il vescovo d'Asti Baldracco Malabaila, 1349–1354," Atti della Reale Accademia delle scienze di Torino (in Italian). Vol. 26. Torino: Fratelli Bocca. 1891. pp. 773–790. Eubel, I, p. 114.
73. He spent two years as a prisoner of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan. He was transferred to the diocese of S. Jean de Maurienne on 11 August 1376. He died in 1381. Boatteri, pp. 74-75. Eubel, I, pp. 114, 331.
74. Antonius had been rector of the church of S. Ambrogio de Varazzo. He was provided as Bishop of Asti by Urban VI. He was transferred to the diocese of Sisteron before 19 November 1383 (He never took possession), though the diocese of Sisteron was under the control of the Avignon popes, and already had a bishop, Artaud de Melano, who had been appointed on 2 May 1382. Artaud's predecessor Ranulphe de Gorse had been created a cardinal by Urban VI in September 1378. Eubel, I, p. 114, 454. Joseph Hyacinthe Albanés (1899). Ulysse Chevalier (ed.). Gallia christiana novissima: Aix, Apt, Fréjus, Gap, Riez et Sisteron (in French and Latin). Montbéliard: Société anonyme d'imprimerie montbéliardaise. pp. 734–737.
75. Albertus was appointed by Pope Alexander V on 11 December 1409. He died on 16 July 1439. Eubel, I, p. 114; II, p. 97.
76. Bishop Landriani was appointed Bishop of Asti on 31 August 1439 by Pope Eugene IV. He was transferred to the diocese of Como on 18 March 1446. Eubel, II, pp. 140.
77. Antonio Trivulzio was appointed Bishop of Piacenza.
78. Albertino Roere was appointed Bishop of Asti on 31 July 1508, and transferred to the diocese of Pesaro on 6 September 1508 by Pope Julius II. Eubel, III, pp. 121, 274.
79. Antonio Trivulzio: Eubel, III, p. 121.
80. Scaramuzza Trivulzio was Administrator of the diocese of Asti for one day, 26 September 1519. Eubel, III, p. 121.
81. Panigarola was appointed on 28 September 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. He had been titular bishop of Chrysopolis in Arabia. He died on 31 May 1594. Francesco Panigarola (1629). Alessandro Panigarola (ed.). Lettere di monsig(no)r Panigarola vescouo d'Asti (in Italian). Milano: per Gio. Battista Bidelli., includes correspondence with Torquato Tasso. Eubel, III, pp. 121, 167.
82. Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi. Vol. IV. p. 98.
83. "Bishop Caesar Benzio" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved December 7, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
84. Ajazza (Agathia): Boatteri, pp. 115-121. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 98, with note 3.
85. "Bishop Giovanni Stefano Ajazza" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved December 7, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
86. Pentorio: Boatteri, pp. 121-122. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 98, with note 4.
87. "Isidoro Pentorio" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved December 7, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
88. "Bishop Ottavio Broglia" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved December 7, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
89. "Bishop Paolo Vincenzo Rovero, B." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved December 7, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
90. Migliavacca died on 21 February 1714. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 102 with note 3.
91. "Bishop Innocenzo Migliavacca (Milliavacca), O. Cist." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved October 7, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
92. Gams, p. 813, column 1.
93. Todone was preconised (approved) on 25 June 1727 by Pope Benedict XIII. He dies on 5 March 1739. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 102 with note 4.
94. During the Sede vacante the Vicar Capitular was Francesco Bernardino Icardi, JUD, Protonotary Apostolic, Canon and Cantor of the Cathedral Chapter of Asti. Bibliografia storica d'Asti, p. 31 column 2.
95. Born in Fossano in 1697, Felissani was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) (Cesena 1741). He had been Canon and Penitentiary of the Cathedral Chapter of Fossano. Felissani's nomination as Bishop of Asti by the King of Sardinia on 22 February 1741 was approved in Consistory by Pope Benedict XIV on 17 April 1741. He was consecrated a bishop in Rome on 25 April 1741 by the Pope himself. He died on 1 April 1757. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 103 with note 2.
96. Sammartini (Sancti Martini) was born at Castelnuovo in the diocese of Ivrea in 1711. He obtained a degree of Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) from Turin in 1741. He served as pro-Vicar General of his uncle, who was Bishop of Mondovi, and was Archpriest of the Cathedral Chapter. Nominated by the King of Sardinia to the diocese of Asti, he was preconised (approved) by Pope Benedict XIV on 18 July 1757, and consecrated a bishop in Rome on 25 July by Cardinal Guidobono Cavalchini. He died of a fever at Magliano (diocese of Asti) on 7 June 1761. Boattini, pp. 144-148. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 104 with note 3.
97. A native of Chiusano Torinese, Caissoti obtained a doctorate in theology from Turin (1749) and was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law). He was nominated bishop of Asti by Charles Emanuel III, King of Sardinia, on 10 February 1762; preconised by Pope Clement XIII on 19 April 1762; and consecrated a bishop in Rome on 23 May 1762 by Cardinal Filippo Acciaiuoli. He died on 8 August 1786. Boattini, pp. 148-151. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 104 with note 4.
98. Gattinara was born in Vercelli in 1747. He obtained the degree of doctor of theology from Turin in 1770, and served as director of the diocesan seminary of Vercelli, and was Canon and Vicar General of Vercelli. He was nominated Bishop of Asti on 7 May 1788 by the King of Sardinia, and preconised by Pope Pius VI on 15 September 1788. He was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Hyacinthe Gerdil on 21 September 1788. He died on 12 January 1809. Boattini, pp. 153-154. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 104 with note 5.
99. Faà di Bruno de Marchionibus Bruni et Fontanilis et Comitibus Carentini was born in Alessandria in 1762. He held a doctorate in theology and was Doctor in utroque iure. He was named Bishop of Asti by Pope Pius VII on 16 March 1818, and consecrated a bishop in Rome on 24 March 1818. For having favored a constitutional government in Spain in a pastoral letter, he was ordered to be confined to a Capuchin monastery by Pope Pius VII, and required to recant his opinions. He died on 10 November 1829. Storia popolare d'Italia dall'origine fino all'acquisto di Roma nell'anno 1870 compilata da Oscar Pio (in Italian). Milano: G. Bestetti. 1876. p. 9. Giovanni Faldella (1895). I fratelli Ruffini: 1: L'antica monarchia e la Giovine Italia (in Italian). Torino: Roux Frassati e C. editori. p. 233. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 92.
100. Giuseppe Cappelletti (1858). Le chiese d'Italia dalla loro origine sino ai nostri giorni (in Italian). Venezia: G. Antonelli. p. 128.
101. Lobetti was born in Cuneo in 1772. He was Canon Archpriest of Cuneo. He was nominated Bishop of Asti by King Carlo Alberto, and preconised on 24 February 1832 by Pope Gregory XVI. He died on 21 March 1840. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 92.
102. Artico was nominated Bishop of Asti on 14 August 1840, and preconised by Pope Gregory XVI on 14 December 1840. He was consecrated in Rome on 27 December 1840. In 1847 Artico was accused of sodomy. Cristina Contilli (2015). Tempeste nel silenzio Amicizie, amori e idee politiche di Silvio Pellico in uno dei periodi meno conosciuti della sua vita (1842-1852) (in Italian). Raleigh NC USA: Lulu.com. pp. 45–47. ISBN 978-1-291-23981-2.^{[self-published source]} In 1850 Artico was driven from his diocese by his own people, due to his strong opposition to the emancipation of Protestants and the assumption of control of education by the State. Frank J. Coppa (1990). Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli and Papal Politics in European Affairs. Albany NY USA: SUNY Press. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7914-0185-9. Artico died in exile in Rome on 21 December 1859. Ritzler-Sefrin, VII, p. 92.
103. Savio was born in Brà (Braia) in 1817. He obtained a doctorate in theology from Turin in 1838. He was appointed Bishop of Asti directly by Pope Pius IX on 17 March 1867, without nomination of a King of Sardinia. The King of Sardinia had become King of Italy, and Pius IX considered him an usurper of the Papal States, and would have nothing to do with him. Savio was consecrated a bishop on 26 May 1867, and made his solemn entry into his diocese on 9 June 1867. He died on 1 July 1881. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, p. 127.
104. Spandre was born at Caselle-Torino in 1853. He was named titular bishop of Tiberias (Palestine) on 3 September 1899, so that he could act as Auxiliary Bishop of Turin; he was consecrated in Turin on 28 October by Cardinal Agostino Richelmy, the Archbishop of Turin. A noted anti-modernist, he was transferred to the diocese of Asti by Pope Pius X on 12 June 1909. He died on 1 April 1932. E. Berzano, Mons. Luigi Spandre. Un Vescovo classico, Asti: Michelerio 1934.(in Italian) Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, p. 552. Pięta, Hierarchia catholica IX, p. 70.
105. Ravinale's resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on 16 August 2018. Diocesi di Asti, Vescovo Francesco Ravinale; retrieved: 2018-04-04.(in Italian)
106. Officina de de Prensa de la Santa Sede, Bollettino. Sala stampa della Santa Sede. 16.01.2018; retrieved: 16-08-2018. (in Italian)
107. Bosio, pp. 142-147.
108. "Diocesi di Asti". Chiesa Cattolica Italiana. Archived from the original on 2007-12-24.
109. Diocesi di Asti, Ente e Parrochie; retrieved: 2018-02-04.(in Italian)
110. "Parrocchie". Chiesa Cattolica Italiana. Archived from the original on 2008-09-28.

Bibliography

Reference works

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• Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica. Vol. Tomus 1 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. (in Latin)
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Studies

• Assandria, Giuseppe (1904). Il Libro Verde della Chiesa d'Asti (in Italian and Latin). Vol. I. Pinerolo: Chinatore-Mascarelli.
• Assandria, Giuseppe (1907). Il Libro Verde della Chiese d'Asti. Biblioteca della Società storica subalpina, XXVI (in Italian and Latin). Vol. II. Pinerolo: Chiantore-Mascarelli.
• Boatteri, Pietro Giovanni (1807). Serie cronologico-storica de'vescovi della chiesa d'Asti (in Italian). Asti: Zucconi e Massa.
• Bosio, Gaspare (1894). Storia della chiesa d'Asti Asti: Michelerio. (in Italian)
• Cappelletti, Giuseppe (1858). Le chiese d'Italia: dalla loro origine sino ai nostri giorni (in Italian). Vol. decimoquarto (14). Venice: G. Antonelli.
• Cipolla, Carlo (1887). Di Audace vescovo di Asti e di due documenti inediti che lo riguardano Torino 1887. (in Italian)
• Cipolla, Carlo (1890). "Di Brunengo vescovo d'Asti, e di tre documenti inediti che lo riguardano," Miscellanea di Storia Italiana (in Italian). Vol. Tomo XXVIII. Torino: Fratelli Bocca. 1890. pp. 297–512.
• Fissore, Gian Giacomo (1973). "Problemi della documentazione vescovile astigiana per i secoli X-XII," Bollettino Storico-Bibliografico Subalpino, 71 (1973), pp. 416–510.
• Fissore, Gian Giacomo (1995). "Problemi della documentazione vescovile astigiana per i secoli X-XII." In: La memoria delle chiese. Cancellerie vescovili e culture notarili nell'Italia centro-settentrionale (secoli X-XIII). I florilegi (4). Scriptorium, Torino, pp. 41–94.
• Gabiani, Niccola; Gabotto, Ferdinando (1906). Contributi alla storia di Asti nel Medio Evo (in Italian). Pinerolo: Società storica subalpina.
• Gabotto, Ferdinando (1903). Asta e la politica Sabauda in Italia al tempo di Guglielmo Ventura. Biblioteca della Società storica subalpina, XVIII. Mem. Vii (in Italian). Pinerolo: Chiantore-Mascarelli.
• Gabotto, Ferdinando (1907). Le Carte delli Archivio Capitolare di Asti (in Italian and Latin). Pinerolo: Chiantore-Mascarelli.
• Kehr, Paul Fridolin (1914). Italia pontificia : sive, Repertorium privilegiorum et litterarum a romanis pontificibus ante annum 1598 Italiae ecclesiis, monasteriis, civitatibus singulisque personis concessorum. Vol. VI. pars ii. Berolini: Weidmann. pp. 170–180.
• Lanzoni, Francesco (1927). Le diocesi d'Italia dalle origini al principio del secolo VII (an. 604). Faenza: F. Lega, pp. 823–824; 830-834; 840-841. (in Italian)
• Manno, Antonio (1891). Bibliografia storica degli stati della monarchia di Savoia (in Italian). Vol. Tomo II. Torino: Fratelli Bocca. pp. 352–414.
• Savio, Fedele (1898). Gli antichi vescovi d'Italia dalle origini al 1300 descritti per regioni: Il Piemonte (in Italian). Torino: Fratelli Bocca. pp. 109–157.
• Schwartz, Gerhard (1907). Die Besetzung der Bistümer Reichsitaliens unter den sächsischen und salischen Kaisern: mit den Listen der Bischöfe, 951-1122. Leipzig: B.G. Teubner. (in German)
• Vassallo, Carlo (1881), "Due epigrafi nella cattedrale d'Asti," Archivio storico italiano Tomo VII (Firenze 1881) pp. 415–431.(in Italian)
• Vassallo, Carlo (1892). La chiesa dei Ss. Apostoli in Asti: memorie (in Italian). Asti: Tip. Giuseppe Brignolo.

External links

• David M. Cheney, Catholic-Hierarchy.org, Diocese of Asti; retrieved: 2018-01-04.^{[self-published source]}

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Diocese of Asti". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.