Roman Catholic Diocese of Como

The Diocese of Como (Latin: Dioecesis Comensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church in northern Italy. It was established in the Fourth Century. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Milan. The Bishop of Como's cathedra is in the Como Cathedral.^[1]

Diocese of Como Dioecesis Comensis
Aerial view of the cathedral in Como
Location
Country	Italy
Ecclesiastical province	Milan
Statistics
Area	4,244 km2 (1,639 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2021) 548,600 (est.) 529,890 (96.6%)
Parishes	338
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	4th Century
Cathedral	Basilica Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta
Secular priests	330 (diocesan) 128 (Religious Orders) 13 Permanent Deacons
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Oscar Cantoni
Bishops emeritus	Diego Coletti
Map
Website
Diocesi di Como (in Italian)

Local legend credits the conversion of Como to the apostolate of Hermagoras of Aquileia (died c. 70).^[2]

The diocese of Como was originally suffragan of Milan, as the consecration of its first bishop by Ambrose of Milan demonstrates.^[3] By the mid 6th century the diocese was subject to Aquileia.^[4] Pope Stephen V (885-891) twice ordered Patriarch Walpert of Aquileia to consecrate Liutard, the Bishop-elect of Como.^[5] Until 1751 Como was, indeed, a suffragan of the patriarchate of Aquileia and followed the Aquileian Rite; the Patriarchate was suppressed by Pope Benedict XIV, who, on 18 April 1752, created the metropolitanate of Gorizia, and made Como subject to Goriza.^[6] In 1789 Como was placed under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Milan by Pope Pius VI.^[7]

History

From the 6th century to the 15th, the rite of Aquileia, commonly called the patriarchal rite, was used in the Church of Como.^[8] It was only in 1598 that Pope Clement VIII substituted the Roman rite.^[4]

In the tenth century the Bishops of Como were also its temporal lords. From the election of Bishop Raimundus in 1061, the episcopal elections were carried out by the Canons of the Cathedral Chapter and the Abbots of S. Carpoforo, S. Abondio, and S. Giuliano.^[4]

Como lost a relevant part of its territory to the newly formed Diocese of Lugano in 1884.

Cathedral and Chapter

The Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta^[9] was begun in 1396, and was completed only in 1595; later the cupola and some small chapels were added (1730–44). The Cathedral was granted the honorary title and privileges of a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII, at the request of Bishop Felix Bonomini, in a decree of 18 January 1951.^[10]

In 1695, the Chapter of the cathedral was composed of three dignities (the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, and the Provost) and twenty Canons.^[11] In 1764, there were three dignities and seventeen Canons.^[12] In 1846 there were twenty members of the Chapter, headed by the Archpriest, the Theologos, and the Penitentiary.^[13] The Chapter of the Cathedral currently (2018) consists of ten Canons, headed by the Archpriest.^[14]

In the city of Como there was also the Collegiate Church of S. Fedele, which was presided over by a Provost and seven Canons.^[15]

–===Synods=== A diocesan synod was an irregular but important meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.^[16]

Bishop Gianantonio Volpi (1559–1588) held a diocesan synod on 16 March 1565. This was the first synod since the closing of the Council of Trent, which had mandated regular and frequent diocesan synods. He held a second synod on 3–5 September 1579.^[17] A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Filippo Archinti (1595–1621) in 1598; and another synod on 16–18 May 1618.^[18]

The Fifth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Lazzaro Carafino (1626–1665) on 18–20 September 1633.^[19] The Sixth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Ambrogio Torriano (1680–1694) on 13–15 September 1672. It issued particularly strong regulations against the use of snuff by the clergy, following the decree of Pope Innocent X, and prescribed a fine of two aurei for any priest who used snuff before the Mass.^[20] The Seventh Diocesan Synod was held on 10–12 September 1682 by Cardinal Carlo Cicero, Bishop of Como.^[21]

Bishop Teodoro de Valfrè held a diocesan synod on 13–15 September 1904 in the Cathedral.^[22] The Ninth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Alessandro Macchi (1930–1947) on 8–10 September 1942.^[23] The Tenth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Felice Bonomini (1948–1974) in 1953. Bishop Oscar Cantoni announced the Eleventh Diocesan Synod, that was to take place in 2020.^[24] It concluded in May 2022.^[25]

Bishops of Como

to 1000

• Felix of Como (c. 379 – c. 391)^[26]
• Provinus (Probinus, Prouinus)^[27] (391–420)
• Amantius of Como (420–450)^[28]
• Abundius (or Abundantius) (attested 450–489)^[29]
• Console (489–495)
• Exuperantius (495–512)
• Eusebius (512–525)
• Eutychius (Eutichio) (525–539)^[30]
• Eupilius (approx. 539)
• Flavianus I
• Prosper
• Joannes (c. 607)^[31]
• Agrippinus (607–617)^[32]
• Rubianus
• Adalbert
• Martiniano
• Vittorino (approx. 628)^[33]
• John II
• John III
• Ottaviano
• Benedict I
• Flaviano II (approx. 712)
• Adeodato (712–730)
• Gausoaldo (approx. 730)
• Angilbert I (approx. 750)
• Lupo (approx. 750)
• Teodolfo
• Adelongo (approx. 776)
• Peter I (776–818)
• Leo I (attested 823–838)^[34]
• Perideo (840–843)
• Amalrico (844–865)
• Angilbert II (866–880)
• Luitardus (Liutardo) (attested 888–905)^[35]
• Valperto I (attested 911–914)^[36]
• Valperto II (915)
• Peter II (921)
• Azzone (922–945)
• Waldo (Ubaldus) (946–966)^[37]
• Adelgisius (attested 973–977)^[38]
• Peter III (attested 983–1005)^[39]

1000 to 1300

• Eberhardus (attested 1004–1006)^[40]
• Albericus (c. 1010 – c. 1028)^[41]
• Liudger (1030/32–1046)^[42]
• Benno (attested 1049–1061)^[43]
• Rainaldo (1061/62–1084)^[44]
• Aribertus (1085–1088)^[45]

Hartwicus (attested 1092)^[46]

• Guido Grimoldi (1098–1125)^[47]

[Landulfus de Carcano (1098–1118)]^[48]

• Ardizzo I (1125–1158)^[49]
• Enrico della Torre (1158–1162)^[50]
• Anselmo Raimundi (della Torre) (1163–1193)^[51]
• Ardizzone II (1193–1204)^[52]
• Guglielmo della Torre (1204–1226)^[53]
• Uberto di Sala (1228–1259)^[54]
• Leone degli Avvocati (1259–1261)^[55]
• Raimondo della Torre (1261–1273)^[56]
• Giovanni degli Avvocati (1274–1293)
• Leone Lambertenghi (1294–1325)^[57]

1300 to 1600

• Benedetto di Asinago, O.P. (1328–1339)^[58]
• Beltramino Paravicini (1339–1340)^[59]
• Bonifacio da Modena (1340–1351)^[60]
• Bernard, O.Cist. (1352–1357)^[61]
• Andrea degli Avvocati (1357–1361)^[62]
• Stefano Gatti (1362–1369)^[63]
• Enrico da Sessa (1369–1380)^[64]
• Beltramo da Brossano (1380–1395)^[65]
• Lucchino da Brossano or Borsano (1396–1408)^[66]
• Antonio Turcone (1409–1420)^[67]
• Francesco Bossi (1420–1434)^[68]
• Giovanni Barbavara (1436–1437)^[69]
• Gerardo Landriani (1437–1445)^[70]
• Bernardo Landriani (1446–1451)^[71]
• Antonio Pusterla (1451–1457)^[72]
• Martino Pusterla (1457–1460)^[73]
• Lazzaro Scarampi (1460–1466)^[74]
• Branda Castiglione (1466–1487)^[75]
• Cardinal Antonio Trivulzio (1487–1508)^[76]
• Scaramuccia Trivulzio (1508–1527)^[77]
• Antonio Trivulzio (1518–1519)^[78]
• Cesare Trivulzio (1519–1548)^[79]
• Bernardino della Croce (1548–1559)^[80]
• Gianantonio Volpi (1559–1588)^[81]
• Feliciano Ninguarda (1588–1595)^[82]
• Filippo Archinti (bishop) (1595–1621)^[83]

1600 to 1800

• Aurelio Archinti (1621–1622)^[83]
• Desiderio Scaglia, O.P. (1622–1625)^[84]
• Lazzaro Carafino (1626–1665)^[83]
• Ambrogio Torriano (1680–1694)^[85]
• Carlo Ciceri^[86] (1680–1694)
• Stefano Giuseppe Menatti (1694–1695)^[87]
• Francesco Bonesana (1696–1709)^[88]
• Giuseppe Olgiati (1710–1735)^[89]
• Alberico Simonetta (1736–1739)^[90]
• Paolo Cernuschi (1739–1746)^[91]
• Agostino M. Neuroni (1746–1760)^[92]
• Giovanni Battista Peregrini (1760–1764)^[93]
• Giambattista Mugiasca (1764–1789)^[94]
• Giuseppe Bertieri, O.E.S.A. (1790–1792)^[95]
• Carlo Rovelli, O.P. (1793–1819)^[96]

since 1800

• Giambattista Castelnuovo (1821–1831)^[97]

Sede Vacante (December 1831–January 1834)

• Carlo Romanò (1834–1855)^[98]
• Giuseppe Marzorati (1858–1865)
• Pietro Carsana (1871–1887)^[99]
• Luigi Nicora (1887–1890)
• Andrea Carlo Ferrari (1891–1894)^[100]
• Teodoro Valfrè di Bonzo (1895–1905)^[101]
• Alfonso Archi (1905–1925)^[102]
• Adolfo Luigi Pagani (1926–1930)
• Alessandro Macchi (1930–1947)^[103]
• Felice Bonomini (1947–1974)^[104]
• Teresio Ferraroni (1974–1989)^[105]
• Alessandro Maggiolini (1989–2006)^[106]
• Diego Coletti (2006–2016)^[107]
• Cardinal Oscar Cantoni (2016 – )^[108]

Parishes

The 338 parishes of the diocese are spread across four provinces of the Lombardy region: the Province of Como, the Province of Lecco, the Province of Sondrio, and the Province of Varese.^[109] There is one priest for every 1,156 Catholics (2021).

References

1. David M. Cheney, Catholic-Hierarchy.org, "Diocese of Como"; retrieved February 29, 2016. ^{[self-published source]} Gabriel Chow, GCatholic.org, "Diocese of Como"; retrieved February 29, 2016. ^{[self-published source]}
2. The story is not creditable; see: Ughelli, V, pp. 256–257. Cantù, I, pp. 33–34.
3. Kehr, p. 399: "Comensis episcopi, qui primum Mediolanensi archiepiscopo, posthaec Aquileiensi patriarchae suffragati sunt, inde ab a. 1751, Benedicto XIV iubente, parent Mediolanensi.
4. Orsini, p. 4.
5. Kehr, pp. 399-400, nos. 3-4.
6. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 175 note 1: "A. 1764, Civ. Comen. sita in prov Lombardiae inhabitatur a 10,000 circ. incolarum, sub dominio temporli caes. maest. reginae Hungariae; eccl. cathedr. sub invocatione Assumptionis B.M.V. suffrag. metrop. Goritien."
7. Gaetano Moroni, "Como," Dizionario di erudizione historico-ecclesiastica Vol. XV (Venezia: Tipografia Emiliana 1842), p. 94: "Divenne suffragnea del patriarcato di Aquileja; dipoi nel 1751 avendo Benedetto XIV soppresso il patriarcato, nell'anno seguente à 18 aprile eresse in metropoli Gorizia, cui sottopose il vescovo id Como per suffraganeo; ma il Pontifice Pio VI nel 1789 dichariò questa sede suffraganea della metropolitana di Milano." Cappelletti, XI, p. 406.
8. Breviarium patriarchinum secundum usum Ecclesiae Comensis (Comi 1523).
9. Diocesi di Como, Basilica Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta; retrieved: 06-09-2018. (in Italian)
10. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 43 (Città del Vaticano: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 1951), pp. 668-669.
11. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 166 note 1.
12. Ughelli, V, p. 257. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 175 note 1.
13. Giuseppe dell' Acqua, ed. (1846). Almanacco Della Provincia Di Como (in Italian). Vol. Anno 9. Presso I Figli Di C. A. Ostinelli. p. 61.
14. Diocesi di Como, Capitolo della Cattedrale; retrieved: 06-09-2018. (in Italian)
15. Ughelli, V, p. 257. La basilica e l'urna de martire san Fedele in Como: note e documenti (in Italian). Tip. vescovile dell'Oratorio. 1895. pp. 33–35. B. Bernasconi, Settanta documenti relativi all'insigne collegiata di San Fedele in Como (Como: Tipografia Cavalleri e Bazzi 1887). Kehr, pp. 463-464.
16. Benedictus XIV (1842). "Lib. I. caput secundum. De Synodi Dioecesanae utilitate". Benedicti XIV ... De Synodo dioecesana libri tredecim (in Latin). Vol. Tomus primus. Mechlin: Hanicq. pp. 42–49. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (March 19, 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727.
17. Acta primae et secundae synodi Dioecesis Comensis, de annis 1565 et 1579 celebratae ab Antonio Ulpio, episcopo Comense (in Latin). Como: Hieronymus Trova. 1588. J.D. Mansi, ed., Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXXVI^A (Paris 1911), p. 77.
18. J.D. Mansi, ed., Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXXVI^bis (Paris: Hubert Welter 1913), p. 77.
19. Lazarus Episcopus Comensis Caraffino (1634). Synodus dioecesana Comensis V, inchoata die XVIII, completa vers XX Septembris lnno 1633 (in Latin). Como: Amantius Trova.
20. Joannes Ambrosius Torriani (1674). Synodus dioesana Comensis VI, habita anno 1672 de mense Septembris diebus 13. 14. 15 (in Latin). Como: Caprani. p. 70.
21. Synodus dioecesana 7, celebrata in basilica cathedrali comensis, diebus 10, 11, 12 mensis septembris 1686 ab emin.mo et rev.mo cardinali Carolo Cicero, episcopo comensi (in Latin). Como: Ex typ. Pauli Antonii Caprani. 1687.
22. Acta Synodi Comensis quam sub auspiciis B. M. Virginis Immaculatae Ill.mus ac Rev.mus D. D. Teodorus ex comitibus Valfrè de Bonzo Episcopus Comensis diebus XIII-VIV-XV mensis septembris anni MCMIV in Cathedrali ecclesia (Como: Unione tipografica Rudolfi doct. Ferrari 1905).
23. Synodus dioecesana comensis IX: habita in ecclesia cathedrali diebus VIII, IX, X septembris MCMXLII Pio XII pont. max. ab excellentissimo d. d. Alexandro Macchi episcopo comensi (in Latin). Como: ex Typis Cavalleri. 1943.
24. Sinodo Diocesano; retrieved: 07-10-2018. (in Italian)
25. Final Document of Synod
26. Felix, a Roman, was a student of Ambrose of Milan, and was consecrated by him as the first Bishop of Como on 1 November 379. He attended a synod held by Ambrose in Milan in 390 to deal with the heretic Jovianus. He held the episcopal seat for twelve years. Ughelli, p. 258. Cantù, I, pp. 36–38. Lanzoni, pp. 977-978.
27. Jean Bolland; Godefroy Henschen; Daniel van Papenbroeck (1668). Acta Sanctorum Martii (in Latin). Vol. Tomus primus. Antwerp: apud Iacobum Meursium. pp. 759–760. Ughelli, p. 258. Cantù, I, p. 38. Provinus is said to have been a native of Provence, and to have been appointed by Bishop Felix as his successor. Lanzoni, p. 978 no. 2.
28. Amantius: Lanzoni, p. 978 no. 3.
29. Abundinus sent as legate to the Council of Chalcedon by Pope Leo I. He subscribed the synodal letter of the Synod of Milan held by the Matropolitan Eusebius in 451. Gams, p. 786 column 2 (assigning the dates 422–489, though with doubt). Lanzoni, p. 978 no. 4.
30. Eutychius died on 5 June 539, according to Gams, p. 786. http://catholicsaints.info/saint-eutichius-of-como/ Lanzoni, p. 979 no. 8
31. Giovanni degli Orchi (John Orco): Lanzoni, p. 979-980 no. 12.
32. Agrippinus of Cologne, Germany (Colonia Agrippina). Cantù, I, p. 92. Lanzoni, pp. 980-981 no. 13.
33. Like all of the Catholic bishops of Como, Vittorino was an opponent of Arianism as propagated by the Lombards
34. Ughelli states that Bishop Leo was elected in 818, that he served for twenty-five years, and that he died in 843. Ughelli, V, pp. 265-268. Gams, p. 786 column 2, agrees that he was elected in 818, but only extends his service until 824.
35. Lu(v)itardus is mentioned both as Bishop of Como and as Imperial Chancellor of the Emperor Louis the Blind in a diploma of 7 December 901. Tatti, I, pp. 879-884. Ughelli, pp. 271-272. Cappelletti, pp. 325-328, 441 (giving the dates of 901 to c. 910). Gams, p. 786 column 2 (giving the dates of 901 to c. 910).
36. Valperto: Cappelletti, pp. 325-328, 441 (giving the dates of 910 to before c. 916). Gams, p. 786 column 2 (giving the dates of 910 to 27 May 914). Both decline to recognize a Valperto II in 915.
37. Ughelli, pp. 276-277. Schwartz, pp. 46-47.
38. Adelgisius: Ughelli, pp. 277-279. Schwartz, p. 47.
39. Petrus: Ughelli, pp. 279-280. Schwartz, pp. 46-47.
40. In June 1004, and again in 1006, Bishop Eberhard was the recipient of several grants of property and privileges from Henry II, who styled himself King of the Franks and likewise of the Lombards. Tatti, II, pp. 824-828. Cappelletti, XI, pp. 331-332. Schwartz, Die Besetzung der Bistümer Reichsitaliens, p. 47.
41. Albericus was the founder of the Abbey of Sant'Abbondio in 1013; in the foundation charter he states that he had been bishop for three years. Ughelli, V, pp. 282-285. Cantù, I, pp. 140-142. Cappelletti, pp. 332-337 Kehr, p. 405. Schwartz, pp. 47-48.
42. Liudger: Schwartz, p. 48.
43. Benno is attested in 1049. He died on 21 September 1061. Tatti, II, p. 198. Schwartz, pp.48-49.
44. Rainaldus was expelled by Emperor Henry IV for his loyalty to Pope Gregory VII.
45. A. d. C., "Ariberto Vescovo di Como, sul finire del secolo XI," Archivio storico lombardo (in Italian). Vol. III. Milan: Società storica lombarda. 1876. pp. 19–28. Schwartz, p. 49.
46. Hartwig was probably intruded by Emperor Henry IV. He is not named in the Cathedral's catalog of bishops. Schwartz, p. 49.
47. Bishop Guido participated in the Synod of Milan on 1098: Niccolò Sormani (1730). Allegata ad concordiam in caussa praeeminentiae (in Latin). pp. 56–57. Schwartz, p. 50. Bishop Guido died on 17 August 1125, according to a manuscript in the Cathedral archives, cited by Tatti, II, p. 344. Ughelli, p. 291.
48. Landulf was an imperial supporter, and an Intruder on the episcopal throne. He was deposed by order of Pope Urban II in 1095. Lodovico Antonio Muratori (1744). Annali d'Italia dal principio dell'era volgare sino all'anno 1500 (in Italian). Vol. Tomo sesto. Milan: Pasquali. p. 394. Schwartz, p. 50. Gams, p. 787. Kehr, p. 401 no *10.
49. Ardizzo: Ughelli, V, pp. 291-294.
50. Bishop Enrico was present at the diet held by Frederick Barbarossa at Ronciglie in November 1158. Bishop Enrico joined the schism of Antipope Victor IV (1159–1164) and the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and was deposed by Pope Alexander III. Ughelli, V, pp. 294-296. Tatti, II, pp. 444-448. Gams, p. 787 column 1.
51. Bishop Anselmo met Pope Alexander III at Ferrara in the Spring of 1177, and accompanied him as one of the delegates of the Lombard League to Venice, where conferences took place with the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in July and August. Giuseppe Rovelli (1794). Storia di Como (in Italian). Vol. Parte 2. Giuseppe Galeazzi. pp. 192–196. Bernasconi, Settanta documenti relativi all'insigne collegiata di San Fedele in Como, p. 4 note 4. Cf. Tatti, II, p. 480-481, 483. Gams, p. 787 column 1.
52. Ardizione: Tatti, II, pp. 519-535. Gams, p. 787 column 1.
53. Della Torre became bishop in 1204, according to Ughelli, p. 297, Cappelletti, XI, p. 347, Gams, p. 787, and Eubel, I, p. 217. He was the builder of many churches, including the Collegiate Church of S. Maria della Torello, and founder of the Spedale di S. Silvestro (later S. Antonio). He died on 21 October 1226. Tatti, pp. 535-536; 587-589.
54. Ubertus died in 1259. Eubel, I, p. 217.
55. Bishop Leo died on 9 July 1261. Eubel, I, p. 217.
56. Raimundus was the son of Martinus Della Torre of the noble Lombard family which held the lordship of Milan until expelled by the Visconti. His father happened to be Podestà of Como at the time that his son was elected bishop. He was expelled from his seat, but managed to return in July 1264. He was transferred to the diocese of Aquileia on 21 December 1273 by Pope Gregory X, who issued a mandate on 18 February 1274 to elect another bishop for Como. Ughelli, pp. 300-301. Eubel, I, pp. 99, 217, with note 3.
57. Leo died on 10 July 1325. Eubel, I, p. 217.
58. Benedetto, who held the degree of master of theology, was appointed bishop of Como by Pope John XXII on 16 December 1328. He fled from the persecution of Franchino and Valeriano Rusca, Lords of Como, and took up residence first in Volturena and then in Cremona. Valeriano had been chosen by the Canons of the Cathedral as bishop, but the election was quashed by Pope John, who would have nothing to do with a supporter of Louis of Bavaria as emperor. The Rusca were declared to be heretics and schismatics, and Bishop Benedetto administered the diocese as best he could through Fra Luca de Castello, O.Min. This situation continued for seven years, climaxing in the placing of the entire territory of Como under the papal interdict. The Bishop, who finally obtained his see in 1335, died in October 1339. Ughelli, pp. 307-308 (who places his appointment as bishop on 1 January 1328). Eubel, I, p. 217.
59. Bishop Benedetto was succeeded by Bishop Beltramino Paravicini on 24 November 1339. The Canons of the Cathedral Chapter were intent on electing the Vicar General, Canon Bartolommeo de Monte Cucco, but pressure applied by Azzone Visconti led the Pope to provide Paravicini instead. Beltramino had been serving as Bishop of Chieti since 1336, and was Papal Legate to King Peter of Aragon. He was transferred to Como on 24 November 1339. He was transferred to the diocese of Bologna on 6 November 1340. He died in Avignon on 7 August 1351 (Tatti, p. 98). Tatti, III, pp. 78-82. Ughelli, p. 308. Eubel, I, pp. 141, 217, 481.
60. Boniface, Doctor of Canon Law (or Doctor in utroque iure, according to Ughelli, p. 308), who had been serving as Bishop of Modena (1336–1340), was transferred to the diocese of Como by Pope Benedict XII on 6 November 1340. He held a diocesan synod, and restored the episcopal palace. He died in 1351. Tatti, III, pp. 82-99. Eubel, I, p. 217.
61. Bernard was a abbot of a monastery in the diocese of Vabres in France. He was appointed Bishop of Como by Pope Clement VI on 3 October 1352. He was transferred to the diocese of Ferrara on 27 February 1357. Tatti, III, pp. 99-104 (with many errors). Ughelli, p. 309. Eubel, I, pp. 217, 248.
62. A native of Como, Andrea had been Prior Commendatory of Ss. Giovanni e Reparata. He was appointed Bishop of Como on 27 February 1357 by Pope Innocent VI. He built the Collegiate Church of S. Maria de Lucino and the adjacent Canonry. Tatti, III, p. 104-110 (dating Andrea's death in 1363). Ughelli, p. 309 (with the wrong date of death). Eubel, I, p. 217.
63. A native of the diocese of Milan and a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Como, Gatti was appointed bishop of Como by Pope Innocent VI on 9 March 1362. He died in 1369, before October. Tatti, III, p. 111-116. Ughelli, p. 309. Eubel, I, p. 217.
64. Sessa, who held the degree Doctor in utroque iure had previously been Bishop-elect of Pesaro (1357–1358), then Bishop of Ascoli (1357–1362), then Bishop of Brescia (1362–1369). He was appointed Bishop of Como by Pope Urban V on 22 October 1369. He died in 1380, after June 18 and before August 9. Tatti, III, p. 116-131. Eubel, I, pp. 111, 147, 217, 395.
65. Beltramo was appointed on 9 August 1380, according to Gams (p. 787). On 2 November 1385 he was given an extension of time for paying his installation fees to the Papacy. In 1392 he was appointed papal tax collector in Lombardy. He died in 1395. Tatti, III, pp. 131-163. Eubel, I, p. 217 with note 8.
66. Borsano held the degree Doctor in utroque iure, and was the Archpriest of the Collegiate Church of S. Maria del Monte in the diocese of Milan. He was appointed Bishop of Como by Pope Boniface IX (Roman Obedience) on 19 January 1396. He began to build the new cathedral. He died in 1408. Eubel, I, p. 217, with note 9.
67. Turcone: Eubel, I, p. 217.
68. Bossi: Eubel, I, p. 217.
69. Barbavara was a cleric of the diocese of Novara. He held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure ('Doctor of Canon and Civil Law'). He was transferred to the diocese of Tortona (suffragan of Milan) on 6 March 1437. Eubel, II, p. 140, with note 1.
70. Elisabetta Canobbio (2001). La visita pastorale di Gerardo Landriani alla diocesi di Como: 1444-1445 (in Italian). Milano: UNICOPLI.
71. Bernardo Landriani had been Archpriest of the Collegiate Church of S. Maria del Monte (diocese of Milan), and then Bishop of Asti (1439-1446). He was transferred to the diocese of Como by Pope Eugene IV on 18 March 1446. He died in 1451. Eubel, II, pp. 97, 140.
72. Antonio Pusterla had been a Protonotary Apostolic in the Roman Curia. He was appointed bishop of Como by Pope Nicholas V on 16 July 1451. He died on 3 November 1457. Eubel, II, 140.
73. Martino Pusterla held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure and was a Canon of the Cathedral of Milan. He was appointed to the bishopric of Como by Pope Calixtus III on 19 December 1457. He died in 1460, Eubel, II, p. 140 with note 3.
74. Lazzaro Scarampi was provided by Pope Pius II on 8 August 1460. He is said to have been mentally deranged (dolor animi) at the time of his death, because he could not pay the money he had borrowed to obtain his bishopric, and was therefore excommunicated. Ughelli, V, p. 313. Eubel, II, 140. Orsini, pp. 7-8.
75. A native of Milan, Branda was brought up by his uncle Zeno, who was Bishop of Bayonne in Normandy (1432–1459). He was made Archdeacon of Coutances. Pope Paul II (Barbo), who was a longtime friend of Branda's relative, Cardinal Branda Castiglione, named Branda bishop of Como on 8 October 1466. Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza of Milan named him a Privy Councillor, and sent him as ambassador to King Louis XI of France. Under Pope Sixtus IV he served as Legate of the papal navy. He died on 16 July 1487. Ughelli, pp. 313-314. Eubel, II, pp. 101, 140.
76. Born in Milan in 1449, Antonio Trivulzio was the brother of Teodoro Trivulzio, Marshal of France. He was a member of the Canons Regular of San Antonio, and been Master of their house in Milan. He held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure, and was appointed a Protonotary Apostolic. On the recommendation of the Duke, Trivulzio was appointed bishop of Como by Pope Innocent VIII on 27 August 1487. He was not resident in his diocese, spending much of his time in Milan (Cappelletti, p. 394). He was created a cardinal by Pope Alexander VI in 1500. He died on 18 March 1508. Ughelli, pp. 314-316. Eubel, II, pp. 24 no. 30; 140.
77. Scarmuccia Trivulzio was created a cardinal on 1 June 1517 by Pope Leo X. He resigned the diocese in favor of his brother Antonio on 8 January 1518. He died in Rome on 3 August 1527, two months after the Sack of Rome. Eubel, III, pp. 15, no 17; 182.
78. Antonio Trivulzio succeeded his brother Scaramuccia by arrangement, on 8 January 1518. Antonio was already Bishop of Asti, which he retained for a time, having been given one year to choose between Asti and Como, at the conclusion of which he was to resign one of them. Eubel, III, p. 182 with note 4.
79. Eubel, III, p. 182, with notes 5 and 6.
80. Eubel, III, p. 182, with notes 7 and 8.
81. Eubel, III, p. 182, with note 9.
82. Eubel, III, p. 183, with note 10. Alexander Koller, "Ninguarda, Feliciano," Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani Volume 78 (2013) (in Italian); retrieved: 16-08-2018.
83. Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi. Vol. IV. pp. 157–158.
84. Fiorenza Rangoni (2008). Fra' Desiderio Scaglia cardinale di Cremona: un collezionista inquisitore nella Roma del Seicento (in Italian). Cernobbio (Como): Nuova Ed. Delta-Stilgrafix. ISBN 978-88-902019-3-6. Cantù, II, p. 297. Scaglia was consecrated a bishop on May 16, 1621 in S. Giovanni Laterano by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Leni. He was created a Cardinal in 1621.
85. Torriano was a native of Indovero (Valsassino) in the diocese of Milan. He was a Doctor in utroque iure ('Doctor of Canon and Civil Law'), and a Master of Theology. He was Referendary of the Two Signatures (Judge). He died in October 1679. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 158, with note 6.
86. Born in Como, Ciceri had been Bishop of Alessandria on his appointment to Como, on 13 May 1680. He was created a cardinal on 2 September 1686 by Pope Innocent XI and received the title of Sant'Agostino. He died at Como on 24 June 1694 at the age of 78. Ritzler, V, p. 13 and p. 166, with note 3.
87. Menatti had been titular bishop of Cyrene; he was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Galeazzo Marescotti on 3 November 1686. He was named Vice-gerent of the City of Rome, and appointed a Canon of the Lateran Basilica on 15 November 1688. In 1692 he was appointed Referendary (judge) of the Two Signatures. He was transferred to the diocese of Como by Pope Innocent XII on 13 September 1694. He died on 5 August 1695. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 166 with note 4; 179 with note 2.
88. Bonesana had previously been Bishop of Caiazzo (1692–1695). He was transferred to the diocese of Como on 14 November 1695. He died on 21 December 1709. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 134; 166 with note 5.
89. A native of Milan, Olgiati was a doctor of theology (Milan, 1691), and held the degree Doctor in utroque iure ('Doctor of Canon and Civil Law') from Pavia (1693). He was appointed Bishop of Parma on 8 November 1694, and was consecrated a bishop in Rome by Cardinal Gaspare Carpineo on 21 November. He was transferred to the diocese of Como on 26 January 1711 by Pope Clement XI. He resigned the diocese on 23 September 1735, and died on 29 July 1736. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 166 with note 6; 308 with note 3.
90. Simonetta was Doctor in utroque iure ('Doctor of Canon and Civil Law') (Sapienza, 1731). He was Referendary of the Two Signatures (Judge) and Chamberlain of Honor to the Pope. He was then Vice-Legate in Bologna, then (1734) Governor of Camerino. He was appointed Bishop of Como by Pope Benedict XIII on 26 September 1735, and consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Giovanni Antonio Guadagni on 9 October 1735. He died in Milan on 11 March 1739. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 175, with note 2.
91. Born in Milan, Cernuschi had been Dean of the Cathedral of Milan, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, and Judge of Pious Causes, before being appointed Bishop of Como. He was Doctor in utroque iure ('Doctor of Canon and Civil Law') (Pavia, 1719). He was consecrated in Rome on 25 July 1739 by Cardinal Giuseppe Spinelli. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 176, with note 3. Cantù, II, p. 208.
92. Neuroni: Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 176, with note 4.
93. Peregrini: Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 176, with note 5.
94. A native of Como, Mugiasca held the degree Doctor in utroque iure from the Sapienza in Rome (1764). He had been a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter, and was a Privy Chamberlain of the Pope. He was appointed Bishop of Como on 26 November 1764 by Pope Clement XIII, and consecrated on 30 November by the Pope personally. He took possession of the diocese by proxy on 4 March 1765, and his solemn entry took place on 2 June. He died in Como on 5 January 1789. Giuseppe Rovelli (1803). Storia di Como (in Italian). Vol. III. Como: Galeazzi. pp. 193–195. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 176 with note 6.
95. Bertieri was born in the village of Ceva (near Alba). He was Doctor of Theology (University of Vienna, 1768), and then professor. He was nominated Bishop of Como by the Emperor Joseph II on 18 June 1789, and confirmed by Pope Pius VI on 14 December 1789; he was consecrated in Vienna on 3 January 1790 by the Nuncio in Vienna, Archbishop Giovanni Battista Caprara. He was transferred to the diocese of Pavia 1792 by Pius VI. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 176, with note 7.
96. Rovelli was appointed by the Emperor on 31 January 1793, and preconised (approved) by Pius VI on 17 June 1793. He resigned the diocese on 1 October 1819, and died on 3 December 1819. Ritzler, VI, p. 176, with note 8.
97. Castelnuovo's appointment was confirmed by Pope Pius VII on 8 January 1821. He was consecrated a bishop in Milan by Cardinal Carlo von Gaysruck on 8 April 1821. He died on 23 December 1831. Omelie e Panegirici. Con Cenni biografici di Giovanni-Battista Castelnuovo, Vescovo di Como (in Italian). Vol. I. Como: Figli di C. A. Ostinelli, Stamp. vesc. 1840. pp. vii–xxxv. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 158.
98. Romanò was confirmed as Bishop of Como on 20 January 1834. He died on 13 November 1855. G. Rota (1855). Della vita e delle opere di Carlo Romanò, vescovo di Como (in Italian). Como: C. e. T: Ostinelli. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 158.
99. Carsana was appointed to the See of Como by Pope Pius IX on 27 October 1871, and consecrated a bishop on 21 November 1871, but he did not receive the exequatur from the civil government (the King of Italy) to allow him to exercise his civil functions (including the financial affairs of the diocese). On 28 June 1875, the Court of Appeal in Milan agreed with the Court of Como that the See of Como was vacant, as far as civil matters were concerned. He was finally recognized early in 1887. He died on 31 December 1887. New Catholic World. Vol. 24. New York: Paulist Press. 1877. pp. 249–251. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, p. 218.
100. Ferrari held a Doctorate in Theology from the seminary of Parma (1883). He was bishop of Guastalla (1890-1891) before being named Bishop of Como. He was named a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1894, and granted the title of Sant'Anastasia. He was later archbishop of Milan and Cardinal. Salvador Miranda, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church Andrea Carlo Ferrari.
101. Valfrè di Bonzo had previously been Bishop of Cuneo. He was appointed Bishop of Como on 18 March 1895 by Pope Leo XIII. He was transferred to the diocese of Vercelli on 27 March 1905 by Pope Pius X. He died in Rome on 25 June 1922. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 219, 234.
102. Archi had previously been Bishop of Comacchio.
103. Macchi had previously been Bishop of Andria.
104. Bonomini had previously been Bishop of Terni and Narni (1940–1947).
105. Ferraroni was born at Gaggiano (Milano) in 1913. In 1966 he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Milan and titular bishop of Gauriana (Numidia, Algeria). In 1970 he was named Coadjutor-bishop of Como, and succeeded to the See on 1 November 1974, on the death of Bishop Bonomini. Bishop-emeritus Ferraroni retired on 31 January 1989, and died on 4 September 2007. Diocesi di Como, Mons. Teresio Ferraroni; retrieved: 09-14-2018. (in Italian)
106. Maggiolini had previously been Bishop of Carpi (1983–1989). He retired from the diocese of Como on 2 December 2006, and died on 11 November 2008. Diocesi di Como, Mons. Alessandro Maggiolini; retrieved: 09-14-2018. (in Italian)
107. Coletti was born in Milan in 1941. He obtained a licenciate in theology, and then the doctorate in philosophy (Gregorian University Rome 1972). From 1968 to 1983 he taught in various seminaries of the Diocese of Milan. He then became an assistant of Cardinal Martini, and was then named Rector of the Lombard Seminary in Rome in 1989. He was named Bishop of Livorno in 2000, and was consecrated a bishop by Cardinal Martini in Milan on 31 January 2001. He was named Bishop of Como on 2 December 2006, and retired on 4 October 2016. Diocesi di Como, Mons. Diego Coletti; retrieved: 06-09-2018. (in Italian)
108. Cantoni had previously been Bishop of Crema (2005-2016). He was named Bishop of Como by Pope Francis on 4 October 2016, and was solemnly installed as bishop on 27 November 2016. Diocesi di Como, Mons. Oscar Cantoni; retrieved: 06-09-2018. (in Italian) On 27 August 2022, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Cantoni a cardinal priest, assigning him the title of Santa Maria Regina Pacis a Monte Verde: "Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali" [Assignment of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals]. The Holy See (in Italian). Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
109. Source for parishes: CCI (2008), Parrocchie, Chiesa Cattolica Italiana, archived from the original on 2008-04-17, retrieved 2008-03-15.

Books

Reference works

• Gams, Pius Bonifatius (1873). Series episcoporum Ecclesiae catholicae: quotquot innotuerunt a beato Petro apostolo. Ratisbon: Typis et Sumptibus Georgii Josephi Manz. pp. 786–789.
• Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. Tomus 1 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. p. 217.
• Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1914). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. Tomus II (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. p. 140.
• Eubel, Conradus; Gulik, Guilelmus (1923). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. Tomus III (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. pp. 182–183.
• Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice) (1935). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. IV (1592-1667). Münster: Libraria Regensbergiana. Retrieved 2016-07-06. pp. 157–158.
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1952). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi (in Latin). Vol. V (1667-1730). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06. p. 166.
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi (in Latin). Vol. VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06. pp. 175–176.
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1968). Hierarchia Catholica medii et recentioris aevi sive summorum pontificum, S. R. E. cardinalium, ecclesiarum antistitum series... A pontificatu Pii PP. VII (1800) usque ad pontificatum Gregorii PP. XVI (1846) (in Latin). Vol. VII. Monasterii: Libr. Regensburgiana.
• Remigius Ritzler; Pirminus Sefrin (1978). Hierarchia catholica Medii et recentioris aevi... A Pontificatu PII PP. IX (1846) usque ad Pontificatum Leonis PP. XIII (1903) (in Latin). Vol. VIII. Il Messaggero di S. Antonio.
• Pięta, Zenon (2002). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi... A pontificatu Pii PP. X (1903) usque ad pontificatum Benedictii PP. XV (1922) (in Latin). Vol. IX. Padua: Messagero di San Antonio. ISBN 978-88-250-1000-8.

Studies

• Cantù, Cesare (1856). Storia della città e della diocesi di Como (in Italian). Vol. I. Firenze: Le Monnier.
• Cantù, Cesare (1856). Storia della città e della diocesi di Como (in Italian). Vol. II. Firenze: Felice Le Monnier.
• Cappelletti, Giuseppe (1856). Le chiese d'Italia della loro origine sino ai nostri giorni (in Italian). Vol. undecimo (XI). Venezia: Giuseppe Antonelli. pp. 307–443.
• Caprioli, Adriano; Rimoldi, Antonio; Vaccaro, Luciano (1986). Diocesi di Como (in Italian). Brescia: La Scuola. ISBN 978-88-350-7761-9.
• Giusti, Guido Paolo (1980). Chiese e vescovi di Como (in Italian). Como.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Kehr, Paul Fridolin (1913). Italia pontificia : sive, Repertorium privilegiorum et litterarum a romanis pontificibus ante annum 1598 Italiae ecclesiis, monasteriis, civitatibus singulisque personis concessorum. Vol. VI. pars i. Berolini: Weidmann. pp. 398–418. (in Latin).
• Lanzoni, Francesco (1927). Le diocesi d'Italia dalle origini al principio del secolo VII (an. 604), vol. II, Faenza 1927. (in Italian)
• Orsini, Giustino Renato (1955). "La giurisdizione spirituale e temporale del vescovo di Como," Archivio storico Lombardo Serie ottava. 5 (1954–1955), pp. 3–63. (in Italian)
• Peri-Morosini, Alfredo (1892). La questione diocesana ticinese, ovvero Origine della Diocesi di Lugano (in Italian). Einsiedeln: Benziger & Company.
• Tatti, Primo Luigi (1683). Degli annali sacri della città di Como (in Italian). Vol. Decade seconda. Milano: Giovanni Battista Ferrario.
• Schwartz, Gerhard (1913). Die Besetzung der Bistümer Reichsitaliens unter den Sächsischen und Salischen Kaisern Teil I and Teil II A. Leipzig: Teubner. (in German)
• Tatti, Primo Luigi; Stampa, Giuseppe Maria (1734). Degli annali sacri della città di Como (in Italian) (Deca terza ed.). Milano: Caprani.
• Turazza, G. (1930). La successione dei vescovi di Como dal 379 al 1930 (in Italian). Como: Arti Grafiche Emo Cavalleri.
• Ughelli, Ferdinando; Coleti, Niccolo (1720). Italia Sacra sive De Episcopis Italiae et insularum adjacentium: tomus quintus (in Latin). Vol. Tomus quintus (V). Venice: apud Sebastianum Coleti. pp. 255–322.

External links

• Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Como". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.