Roman Catholic Diocese of Aversa

The Diocese of Aversa (Latin: Dioecesis Aversana) is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in Campania, southern Italy, created in 1053. It is situated in the Terra di Lavoro (Liburia), seven miles north of Naples, and eight miles south of Capua.^[1] It is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Naples.^[2][3]

Diocese of Aversa Dioecesis Aversana
Aversa Cathedral
Location
Country	Italy
Ecclesiastical province	Naples
Statistics
Area	361 km^2 (139 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2015) 567,566 543,260 (95.7%)
Parishes	94
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	1053 (971 years ago) (1053)
Cathedral	Cattedrale di S. Paolo Apostolo
Secular priests	184 (diocesan) 29 (Religious Orders)
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Angelo Spinillo
Bishops emeritus	Mario Milano
Map
Website
Diocese of Aversa website (in Italian)

History

The city of Atella was destroyed in the Lombard invasions. The city of Aversa arose in the 11th century,^[4] near the destroyed Atella, and became the seat of the Norman invader Rainulf, who became a vassal of Duke Sergius of Naples. The Norman Duke Robert Guiscard built a fortification which in time became an urban centre. Duke Robert, becoming a vassal of the pope and supporting him in his struggle with the Holy Roman Emperor, obtained permission from Pope Leo IX to have the extinct diocese of Atella revived at Aversa. In 1058, Count Richard of Aversa became Prince of Capua. This led to an immediate and continual confrontation between Norman Capua and Lombard Naples, both politically and ecclesiastically. The archbishops of Naples claimed metropolitan status over Aversa, with the right to consecrate its bishops and receive oaths of loyalty from them. At the same time the Princes of Capua claimed that Aversa was a new foundation, thanks to their work for the Church, and in no case did the Norman Prince intend to recognize the jurisdiction of the Lombards over his principality.^[5]

In 1088, Pope Urban II consecrated the monk Guidmund, who had been an agent of the Holy See, as Bishop of Aversa. An immediate protest was lodged by the Archbishop of Naples through his Archdeacon, and by the Prince of Salerno and Amalfi through his legate, humbly requesting that possession of the Church of Aversa be returned to them ("ut sibi tandem Aversane ecclesie possessio redderetur"). In his reply to the Archbishop, Pope Urban stated that he had consecrated Bishop Guitmund neither out of anger or hatred, but for the sake of equity and compelled by necessity, lest the Church of Aversa lose such a man as he had appointed.^[6] In a letter to Bishop Guitmund, Pope Urban stated that he and his advisors and the Roman leaders had debated the issue of the possession of the Church of Aversa for some time ("diu causam eventilavimus"), the unanimous decision was that the investiture of the possession of the Church of Aversa should be returned to the Archbishop and the Prince.^[7]

On 24 September 1120, Bishop Robertus (attested 1118–1226) obtained from Pope Calixtus II the bull "Sicut ex Fratrum", in which the Church of Aversa was recognized as being directly subordinate (a suffragan) of the Roman See, rather than the Archdiocese of Capua or the Archdiocese of Naples.^[8]

In a letter of reply (rescriptum) to the bishop of Aversa on 8 November 1298, Pope Innocent III remarked that the bishop and his predecessors had thus far (hactenus) been accustomed to obtain confirmation of their election and episcopal consecration from the archbishops of Naples, notwithstanding that Innocent's predecessor, Celestine III (1191–1198), had consecrated one "L" as bishop of Aversa himself "without prejudice to the Church of Naples", ordering that the new bishop should show reverence and obedience to the archbishop. If the bishop of Aversa wished to litigate the matter, the Pope would give him a hearing.^[9]

On 10 May 1298, Pope Boniface VIII issued a bull, confirming the privileges granted by Pope Calixtus II to the Church of Aversa, making the diocese directly subject to the Holy See.^[10]

Cathedral and Chapter of Aversa

The cathedral was begun thanks to the munificence of Duke Robert Guiscard, was carried forward and completed by his son Jordanus. It was dedicated to S. Paul of Tarsus. The high altar was dedicated by Pope Alexander IV on 3 June 1255.^[11]

The cathedral was served and administered by a corporate body, the Chapter, which was composed of four dignities (the Dean, the Cantor, the Archdeacon, and the Subcantor) and thirty Canons. Two dignities were later added, in accordance with the decrees of the Council of Trent, designated the Theologus and the Penitentiarius. Pope Celestine III (1191–1198) granted the Chapter the right of electing their Dean.^[12] The cathedral was one of the nine parishes inside the city, the care of which was assigned to the Canons prebendary. Attached to the cathedral were twelve beneficed clerics, whose duty it was to sing the Gregorian chant; two acolytes and six clerics for the sanctuary; and thirty chaplains. The members of the Chapter were paid out of a general fund (mensa canonicata), which was the subject of frequent complaint and litigation.^[13] In 1600, it was agreed that the procurator of the Chapter would divide the income into eight portions, six of which would go to each of the six prebendary dignities.^[14]

Synods

A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, 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.^[15]

Bishop Pietro Orsini (1591–1598) presided over a diocesan synod at Aversa in 1594, and published its decrees.^[16] Bishop Carlo Carafa (1616–1644) held a diocesan synod on 19 June 1619, and published the decrees of the synod.^[17] A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Innico Caracciolo (1697–1730) on 4—6 November 1702.^[18]

In 1727, Cardinal Innico Caracciolo (1697–1730) issued a new set of Constitutions for the diocesan seminary of Aversa.^[19]

New ecclesiastical province

Following the Second Vatican Council, and in accordance with the norms laid out in the council's decree, Christus Dominus chapter 40,^[20] major changes were made in the ecclesiastical administrative structure of southern Italy. Wide consultations had taken place with the bishops and other prelates who would be affected. Action, however, was deferred, first by the death of Pope Paul VI on 6 August 1978, then the death of Pope John Paul I on 28 September 1978, and the election of Pope John Paul II on 16 October 1978. Pope John Paul II issued a decree, "Quamquam Ecclesia," on 30 April 1979, ordering the changes. Three ecclesiastical provinces were abolished entirely: those of Conza, Capua, and Sorrento. A new ecclesiastical province was created, to be called the Regio Campana, whose Metropolitan was the Archbishop of Naples. The diocese of Aversa became a suffragan of Naples.^[21]

On January 15, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Angelo Spinillo, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Teggiano-Policastro, as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Aversa. He succeeded Archbishop-Bishop Mario Milano, whose resignation was accepted by the Pope on the grounds that he had reached the canonical age of retirement of 75.

Bishops of Aversa

to 1400

• Azolinus (1053– ? )^[22]

[Guitmund I]^[23]

[Guitmund II]

...

• Guitmund (1088–1094)^[24]
• Joannes (attested 1094–1101)^[25]
• Robertus (attested 1113)^[26]
• Robertus (attested 1118–1126)^[27]

...

• Gentilis (attested 1198–1217)^[28]
• Basinthius
• Joannes Lambertus
• Fridericus
• Simone Paltanieri (1254– ? ) Administrator^[29]
• Joannes (attested 1259)
• Fidentius (attested 1261–1274)^[30]
• Adam (attested 1276–1291)^[31]
• Landolfo Brancaccio (attested 1293–1297)
• Leonardo Patrasso (17 Jun 1297 –1299)^[32]
• Pietro Turrite (1299–1309)^[33]
• Petrus de Bolonesio (1309–1324)^[34]
• Guilelmus de Sallone, O.Min. (1324–1326)^[35]
• Raymond de Mausac, O.Min. (1326–1336)^[36]
• Bartholomaeus (1336–1341)^[37]
• Giovanni de Glandis (1341–1357)^[38]
• Angelo Ricasoli (1357–1370)
• Poncello Orsini (1370–1378)^[39]
• Bartolomeo (1378–1380) Avignon Obedience
• Nicolas (1378 or 1379 to 1381) Roman Obedience

Marino del Iudice (1381–1385) Roman Obedience; Administrator^[40]

• Ereccius (Erecco) (1386– ? )^[41]

...

1400 to 1700

...

• Laurentius da Napoli, O.E.S.A. (c.1416–c.1417)^[42]

Cardinal Rinaldo Brancaccio (1418–1427)^[43]

• Pietro Caracciolo (1427–1430)^[44]
• Giacomo Carafa (1430–1471)^[45]
• Pietro (13 May 1471 – 1473)^[46]
• Giovanni Paolo Vassalli (10 Mar 1474 – 1501 Died)^[47]

Cardinal Luigi d'Aragona (10 Mar 1501 – 21 May 1515) Administrator^[48]

• Silvio Pandoni (21 May 1515 – 1519)^[49]
• Antonio Scaglioni (1st term) (28 Jan 1519 – 1524 Resigned)

Cardinal Sigismondo Gonzaga (1524) Administrator^[50]

• Antonio Scaglioni (2nd term) (1 Jul 1524 – 19 Dec 1528 Died)^[51]

Cardinal Pompeo Colonna, Administrator (1529)^[52]

• Fabio Colonna (1532–1554)^[53]
• Balduino Balduini (30 Mar 1554 – 18 Apr 1582)
• Georgius Manzolus (16 May 1582 – 3 Mar 1591)
• Pietro Orsini (5 Apr 1591 – 1598)^[54]
• Bernardino Morra (9 Oct 1598 – 1605)^[55]
• Filippo Spinelli (1605–1616)^[56]
• Carlo Carafa (1616–1644)^[57]
• Carlo Carafa della Spina (1644–1665 Resigned)^[58]
• Paolo Carafa, C.R. (6 Jul 1665 –1686)^[59]
• Fortunato Ilario Carafa della Spina (1687–1697)^[60]

1700 to 2000

• Cardinal Innico Caracciolo (iuniore) (1697–1730)^[61]
• Cardinal Giuseppe Firrao (1730–1734)^[62]
• Ercole Michele d'Aragona (27 Sep 1734 – Jul 1735 Died)^[63]
• Filippo Niccolò Spinelli (26 Sep 1735 – 20 Jan 1761 Died)^[64]
• Giovanbattista Caracciolo, C.R. (16 Feb 1761 – 6 Jan 1765 Died)^[65]
• Niccolò Borgia (27 Mar 1765 – 6 Apr 1779 Died)^[66]
• Francesco del Tufo, C.R. (12 Jul 1779 – 15 Jun 1803 Died)^[67]
• Gennaro Maria Guevara Suardo, O.S.B. (29 Oct 1804 – 3 Aug 1814)^[68]
• Agostino Tommasi (6 Apr 1818 – 9 Nov 1821 Died)
• Francesco Saverio Durini, O.S.B. (17 Nov 1823 – 15 Jan 1844 Died)
• Sisto Riario Sforza (1845)^[69]
• Antonio Saverio De Luca (24 Nov 1845 –1853)^[70]
• Domenico Zelo (23 Mar 1855 – 11 Oct 1885 Died)^[71]
• Carlo Caputo (7 Jun 1886 – 19 Apr 1897 Resigned)
• Francesco Vento (19 Apr 1897 – 29 Sep 1910 Died)
• Settimio Caracciolo di Torchiarolo (10 Apr 1911 – 23 Nov 1930 Died)^[72]
• Carmine Cesarano, C.SS.R. (16 Dec 1931 – 22 Nov 1935 Died)
• Antonio Teutonico (28 Jul 1936 – 31 Mar 1966 Retired)
• Antonio Cece (31 Mar 1966 – 10 Jun 1980 Died)
• Giovanni Gazza, (1980–1993 Resigned)^[73]
• Lorenzo Chiarinelli (27 Mar 1993 –1997)^[74]

since 2000

• Mario Milano (28 Feb 1998 – 15 Jan 2011 Resigned)
• Angelo Spinillo (15 Jan 2011 – )^[75]

References

1. Parente, p. 43, note 1.
2. "Diocese of Aversa" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved April 16, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
3. "Diocese of Aversa" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved February 29, 2016.^{[self-published source]}
4. The name "Aversa" first appears in a document dated 2 September 1022. Kehr, p. 279.
5. Kehr, p. 280.
6. Kehr, p. 282, no. 5, 6.
7. C. Ewald, "Die Papstbriefe der Brittischen Sammlung," Neues Archiv der Gesellschaft fur altere deutsche Geschichtskunde V (Hannover 1879), pp. 356-357. (in German and Latin)
8. Ulysse Robert (1891). Bullaire du Pape Calixte II (in Latin and French). Vol. Tome premier. Paris: Imprimerie nationale. pp. 271–273, no. 185. ISBN 978-3-487-41092-0. Kehr, pp. 284-285, no. 16.
9. J.P. Migne (ed.) Patrologiae Latinae cursus completus Tomus CCXIV (Paris 1846), p. 378. Kehr, p. 286, no. 21.
10. Georges Digard, Les registres de Boniface VIII Tome II (Paris: Ernest Thorin 1890), pp. 133-134, no. 2593. Eubel I, p. 122, note 1.
11. Kehr, p. 286.
12. Kehr, p. 287, no. 4.
13. Ughelli, p. 487.
14. Analecta iuris pontificii. Series 5 (in Latin). Rome: Analecta ecclesiastica. 1861. pp. 499–500.
15. 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. George Phillips (1849). Die Diöcesansynode (in German). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder. pp. 1–23. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (March 19, 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727.
16. Pietro Orsini (1596). Constitutiones ... D.D. Petri Vrsini Auersae episcopi in dioecesana synodo promulgatae. Anno Domini MDXCIV ... (in Latin). Roma: Ex Typographia Vaticana.
17. Constitutiones dioecesanae synodi ab Ill^mo et rev^mo d(omi)no d(omino) Carolo Carafa, Dei et Apostolicae Sedis gratia Aversanae ecclesiae episcopus, celebratae IV Idus Iunij anno MDCXIX. Olmutz 1621.
18. Innico Caracciolo (1703). Synodus Dioecesana ab illustriss. et reverendiss. domino D. Innico Caracciolo episcopo Aversano, ... celebrata sub auspiciis D. Caroli Borromaei in cathedrali Ecclesia Aversana ... anno Domini 1702 (in Latin). Roma: ex Typografia Rev. Camerae Apost.
19. Innico Caracciolo (1727). Constitutiones Seminarii Aversani eminentiss. ac reverendiss. domini d. Innici ... Caraccioli ... jussu editae (in Latin). Naples: ex typographia Januari Mutio.
20. Christus Dominus 40. Therefore, in order to accomplish these aims this sacred synod decrees as follows: 1) The boundaries of ecclesiastical provinces are to be submitted to an early review and the rights and privileges of metropolitans are to be defined by new and suitable norms. 2) As a general rule all dioceses and other territorial divisions that are by law equivalent to dioceses should be attached to an ecclesiastical province. Therefore dioceses which are now directly subject to the Apostolic See and which are not united to any other are either to be brought together to form a new ecclesiastical province, if that be possible, or else attached to that province which is nearer or more convenient. They are to be made subject to the metropolitan jurisdiction of the bishop, in keeping with the norms of the common law. 3) Wherever advantageous, ecclesiastical provinces should be grouped into ecclesiastical regions for the structure of which juridical provision is to be made.
21. Acta Apostolicae Sedis Vol. 71 (Città del Vaticano 1979), pp. 562-563.
22. Azzolino, the first bishop of Aversa, was consecrated a bishop by Pope Leo IX (1049–1054): "Siquidem dominus predecessor noster sancte memorie Leo papa nonus primum ibi episcopum, Azolinum videlicet, consecravit." Chevalier, Ulysse (1891). Bullaire du Pape Calixte II, 1119-1124: essai de restitution (in Latin and French). Paris: Imprimerie Nationale. pp. 271–273, no. 185. Kehr, p. 284-285, no. 16. Orabona, pp. 13, 47, 104. Gams, p. 855, assigns Azzolino the dates of c.1049–1056. The authenticity of the bull of Pope Calixtus, which is found only in a bull of Pope Boniface VIII, has been challenged: Kehr, p. 285, n.
23. In order to save all the references to Guitmund, scholars created a second and third Gutimund, rather than admit that some of the data were erroneous, faulty, or contradictory. Kehr, p. 282.
24. Guimundus' election to the diocese of Rouen in 1079 was rejected by Pope Gregory VII, on the grounds that Guitmund was the son of a priest. He was consecrated bishop of Aversa by Pope Urban II, who had less rigid ideas. Orabona, pp. 13, 107. M. Dell'Omo, "Per la storia dei monaci-vescovi nell'Italia normanna del secolo XI: ricerche biografiche su Guitmondo di La Croix-Saint-Leufroy, vescovo di Aversa", in: Benedictina 40 (1993), pp. 9–34, at p. 19 (for consecration) and p. 33 (a successor attested in 1094). Ordericus Vitalis (Book IV) states that Guitmund left his monastery, with permission, and went to Pope Gregory VII, who made him a cardinal. August Prévost, Ordericus' editor, states: "Guitmond n'a jamais été élevé au cardinalat." Ordericus Vitalis (1840). Historiæ ecclesiasticæ libri tredecim: ex veteris codicis uticensis collatione emendavit, et suas animadversiones adjecit Augustus Le Prevost ... (in Latin and French). Paris: apud Julium Renouard et socios. p. 233. Kehr, too (p. 282) denies the cardinalate: "fabulose narrat Guimundum a Gregorio VII cardinalem s. Rom. ecclesiae creatum et ab Urbano II iam probatum in multis metropolitanum Adversis urbis sollemniter ordinatum esse."
25. Joannes: Kehr, pp. 283-284.
26. Robertus: Kehr, p. 284, no. 14.
27. The second Robertus was consecrated a bishop by Pope Gelasius II. Kehr, VIII, p. 284-285, no. 15, 16; III, p. 323 no. 22.
28. Gentilis had been Bishop of Isernia e Venafra, but was driven out when the city of Venafro was burned by the troops of the Emperor Henry VI on 12 November 1192. K. Hampl, "Der schlimme Bischof Gentilis von Aversa," Mitteilungen aus der Capuaner Briefsammlung, III, (Heidelberg: C. Winter, 1911) [Sitzungsberichte der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaten. 1911], p. 4. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 122.
29. Simone was named Bishop of Aversa by Pope Innocent IV on 17 November 1254. It was complained about Simone, when he was being invested as a cardinal in 1261, that he had not yet received any of the Holy Orders. Eubel I, p. 122, with note 4.
30. Eubel suggests, p. 122 note 5, that Joannes and Fidentius are the same person.
31. Adam was the rector of the parish of Braye (diocese of Amiens) and a familiaris of King Charles of Sicily. There was a contested election in 1276 between Adam and Pietro di Galgano, a Canon of Aversa. Adam was provided and consecrated by Pope John XXI. Eubel I, p. 122, with notes 6 and 7.
32. On 20 Jul 1299 Patrasso was appointed Archbishop of Capua by Pope Boniface VIII.
33. Pietro, a Canon of Padua, had previously been Bishop of Anagni (1295–1299). He was transferred to the diocese of Aversa by Pope Boniface VIII on 3 August 1299. His bull of appointment states that the Church of Aversa was immediately subject to the Holy See. Georges Digard, Les registres de Boniface VIII Tome III (Paris: E. Thorin 1890), p. 446, no. 3136. Eubel I, pp. 87, 123.
34. Pierre had been Canon of Beauvais, and was Master of the Chapel of King Charles III of Sicily. Following the death of Bishop Pietro Turrite, he was elected bishop by the cathedral Chapter. On 15 March 1308, Pope Clement issued a mandate to the Archbishop of Amalfi and the Bishop of Pozzuoli to investigate the election of Pierre de Bolonesio and his qualifications. Pierre had been elected by the cathedral Chapter, and had requested exemption from travelling to Avignon to obtain confirmation of the election from the pope. If the Archbishop and the Bishop were to find the election and the Elect to be canonical, they were to confirm him; otherwise, they were to void the election and order the Canons to conduct a new election. Regestum Clementis papae V Vol. IV (Rome: Typographia Vaticana 1886) pp. 163-164, no. 4217. Eubel I, p. 123.
35. Guillaume was a Councillor of King Charles III of Sicily, and had been Bishop of Pozzuoli (1317–1324). He was transferred to Aversa by Pope John XXII on 1 June 1324. On the death of Guillaume in 1326, the Chapter elected Petrus de Materiis, whose election was quashed by Pope John XXII. Ughelli I, p. 491 Eubel I, pp. 123, 409.
36. Raymond had been Bishop of Alba Pompeia (1311–1321), then Bishop of Chieti (1321–1326). He was appointed Bishop of Aversa by Pope John XXII on 17 July 1326. He died in 1336. On his death there was a disputed election, between Bishop Jacobus of Melfi and Roger de Sanseverino, a Canon of Naples. Both elections were quashed by Pope Benedict XII. Ughelli I, p. 491. Eubel I, pp. 80, 123, 481.
37. Bartolommeo had been Archdeacon of Patras (Greece), and was a papal chaplain. He was appointed Bishop of Aversa by Pope Benedict XII on 17 July 1336, after he had rejected the disputed election of two other candidates. Ughelli, p. 491. Eubel I, p. 123.
38. A Sicilian in origin, Giovanni had been Cantor in the Chapter of the Collegiate Church of S. Nicholas in Bari. He was elected by the cathedral Chapter of Aversa, and was approved by Pope Benedict XII on 17 December 1341. He died in 1357. Ughelli, p. 491. Eubel I, p. 123.
39. Poncello was removed from office in 1378 because he was a follower of Urban VI (Roman Obedience); the Kingdom of Naples, at the time, adhered to the Avignon Obedience of Clement VII. Poncello was named a cardinal by Urban VI on 18 September 1378. In 1381 Archbishop Marino del Iudice of Taranto was named Administrator of the diocese of Aversa by Urban VI, but when Urban ordered him executed in December 1386, Orsini reassumed the bishopric. He died on 2 February 1395. Eubel I, pp. 23 no. 12; 123.
40. A native of Amalfi, a member of the family of the Counts of Maurone, and a competent jurisconsult, Del Giudice had been a Canon of Amalfi, a papal chaplain, and Auditor of Causes of the Sacred Palace. In 1370 he was named to the diocese of Stabia, and in 1373 to Cassano. He was appointed Archbishop of Brindisi (1379–1380) by Urban VI, and then Archbishop of Taranto. He became a cardinal of the Roman Obedience in 1383, and was executed by Urban VI in 1385. Ughelli, p. 492. Matteo Camera (1836). Istoria Della Citta E Costiera Di Amalfi (in Italian). Fibreno. pp. 257–260. Eubel I, pp. 84, 123.
41. Ereccius (Arecius) was appointed bishop by Urban VI on 14 April 1386, though he was still referred to as Electus on 14 April 1387, when he was appointed Collector of papal revenues in the Kingdom of Naples. On 19 December 1387, Canon Angelo de Tuffo was appointed his Vicar in spiritualibus et temporalibus "since Ereccius was not able to attend to his duties at that time". Urban himself had been compelled to flee from the Kingdom of Naples in 1386, and to seek refuge in Genoa. Ughelli, p. 492. Eubel I, p. 123 with note 12. Gaetano Parente, Cenno storico sulla cattedrale di Aversa (Naples: Ranucci 1845), p. 36, gives him the surname Brancaccio and extends his service to 1392.
42. Lorenzo was transferred to the diocese of Tricarico. Eubel I, p. 123, 497.
43. Cardinal Brancaccio was appointed Administrator of the diocese of Aversa by Pope Martin V in 1418. He died in Rome in October 1427. Ughelli, p. 492. Eubel I, pp. 25 no. 39; 123.
44. Caracciolo was named Bishop of Aversa by Pope Martin V on 30 September 1427. Ughelli, p. 492, says that Caracciolo was appointed in 1422. Eubel I, p. 123.
45. Jacobus was appointed on 16 May 1430, according to Gams, p. 855, and on 16 May 1431, according to Ughelli, p. 492. He died in 1471, before 13 May. Eubel II, p. 100.
46. Pietro Brusca (called Petrus Bruna by Ughelli, p. 492) had been a Canon of Terracina. He was appointed to the diocese of Aversa on 13 May 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV. Eubel II, p. 100.
47. Vassalli: Ughelli, p. 492. Eubel II, p. 100.
48. The Cardinal d'Aragona was never a bishop. Ughelli, p. 493. Eubel II, p. 100.
49. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 126. (in Latin)
50. Cardinal Sigismondo Gonzaga was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Aversa in 1524, but resigned on 1 July, when Bishop Scaglioni was reappointed. Eubel III, p. 100.
51. Scaglioni: Eubel III, p. 100.
52. Cardinal Colonna was appointed Administrator on 20 Apr 1529, and resigned on 24 September 1529, in favor of his nephew Fabio. Ughelli, p. 494. Eubel III, p. 100.
53. Fabio Colonna was the son of Cardinal Pompeo Colonna's brother Ottaviano. He had been titular Patriarch of Constantinople. He was appointed successor to his uncle the Cardinal on 24 September 1529. He died in Rome in 1554, and was buried in the Liberian Basilica. Ughelli, p. 494. Eubel III, p. 100.
54. Eubel III, p. 126. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 106.
55. Morra was a vigorous enforcer of the reforms promulgated by the Council of Trent, under the influence of his mentor, Cardinal Carlo Borromeo.
56. Filippo was the eldest son of Carlo Spinelli, Duke of Seminara. In 1592, he was appointed titular Bishop of Colossae (Rhodes) and Coadjutor Bishop of Policastro, to which he succeeded in 1603. From 1598 to 1603, he was papal Nuncio in Vienna. He was Vice-Legate in Ferrara in 1604. Pope Clement VIII named him a cardinal on 9 June 1604, at the request of the Emperor Rudolf II, and on 6 June 1605 he was appointed Bishop of Aversa. He died on 25 May 1616. Ughelli, pp. 494-495. Gauchat, p. 106 with note 3.
57. A Neapolitan, Carlo Carafa had been a Referendary of the Tribunal of the Two Signatures. He was appointed Bishop of Aversa by Pope Paul V in the consistory of 19 July 1616. From 1621 to 1628, Bishop Carafa served as papal Nuncio to Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor, and was not in Italy. He died in April 1644. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, pp. 7, no. 39 with note 8; 106 with note 4.
58. Carlo Carafa was the son of Prince Girolamo II of Roccella, and nephew of his predecessor. He was a Protonotary Apostolic and Referendary of the Tribunal of the Two Signatures. He was named Bishop of Aversa in succession to his uncle on 13 July 1644. In January 1653 he was appointed papal Nuncio to Switzerland; he became Nuncio to Venice in 1654; and Nuncio in Vienna from 1658 to 1664. He was named a cardinal on 14 January 1664, and Legate in Bologna on 22 April 1664. He resigned the diocese on 6 June 1665. He died in Rome on 21 October 1680, at the age of 69. Ughelli, p. 495. Gauchat, pp. 34 no. 22; 106 with note 5.
59. Ughelli, p. 495, calls Paolo the brother of Carlo Carafa della Spina, his predecessor. He died on 7 May 1686. Gauchat, p. 106. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 109, note 2.
60. Fortunato was a younger brother of Carlo and Paolo. His first known employment was a Vicar General of the diocese of Messina, where his uncle Francesco Simeone Carafa was archbishop (1646–1676). He was named a cardinal in 1686 by Pope Innocent XI, though he was not yet in Holy Orders and required a dispensation. On 7 July 1687, he was appointed Bishop of Aversa. On 9 March 1693, he was named Legate of Romandiolae, a post he held for a year. He was protector of Neapolitan interests in the Papal Curia. He died on 16 January 1697. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 14, no. 36, with notes 4 and 5; 109 with note 3.
61. The son of Francesco Caracciolo, Duke of Martina, Caracciolo held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure (Sapienza 1677), and was appointed Referendary of the Tribunal of the Two Signatures. He was secretary of the Congregation of Regular clergy. He was Inquisitor of Malta (1683–1686). He was appointed bishop of Aversa on 25 February 1697, and was consecrated a bishop in Rome on 24 March 1697. In 1712 he was Nuncio in Switzerland. He was named a Cardinal in 1715. He died on 6 September 1730. Lorenzo Cardella, Memorie storiche de' cardinali della Santa Romana Chiesa Vol. VIII (Rome: Pagliarini 1794), pp. 158-160. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V. p. 109 with note 4. Maria Gemma Paviolo (2017). I Testamenti dei Cardinali: Innico Caracciolo (1642-1730) (in Italian). Lulu.com. pp. 14. 16–21. ISBN 978-0-244-30450-8. ^{[self-published source]}
62. The neapolitan Firrao, who held the degree of "Doctor in utroque iure (Rome, Sapienza 1695), became the titular Archbishop of Nicea in 1714, to qualify him for various posts in the papal service. From 1716 to 1730, he was Nuncio in Switzerland and then Portugal. On completion of his Portuguese assignment he was named Bishop of Aversa on 11 December 1730, and allowed to keep his title of Archbishop. He was named a cardinal on 24 September 1731, and was appointed papal Secretary of State on 4 October 1733. His continual occupation with his duties in Rome caused him to resign the diocese of Aversa on 26 September 1734. He died on 24 October 1744. L. Cardella, Memorie storiche de' cardinali della Santa Romana Chiesa Vol. VIII (Rome: Pagliarini, 1794), pp. 252-253. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 111 with note 2.
63. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V. p. 287 with note 7; VI, pp. 6 no. 8; 111 with note 3.
64. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 111 with note 4.
65. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 111 with note 5.
66. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 111 with note 6.
67. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 111 with note 7.
68. Guevara Suardo was a relative of the Dukes of Bovino.
69. Born in 1810, Sisto was the son of Duke John of Grimma. Riario Sforza was named Bishop of Aversa on 24 April 1845, and consecrated. On 24 Nov 1845 he was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI as Archbishop of Naples. He was named a cardinal on 19 January 1846. He died on 29 September 1877. Domenico Scotti Pagliara (1877). Per Sisto Riario Sforza, cardinale arcivescovo di Napoli, mancato ai vivi il dì 29 settembre 1877 (in Italian). Naples: Tip. del giornale La Discussione. Domenico Ambrasi (1999). Sisto Riario Sforza, arcivescovo di Napoli: 1845-1877 (in Italian). Naples: Città nuova. ISBN 978-88-311-5478-9. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, pp. 100, 278.
70. On 22 December 1853 De Luca was appointed Titular Archbishop of Tarsus, to qualify him for the post of papal Nuncio to Austria, and then Munich as well, where he served until 16 March 1863, when he was appointed a cardinal by Pope Pius IX. He died on 28 December 1883. Tobias C. Bringmann (2012). Handbuch der Diplomatie 1815-1963: Auswärtige Missionschefs in Deutschland und deutsche Missionschefs im Ausland von Metternich bis Adenauer (in German). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. p. 213. ISBN 978-3-11-095684-9. Martin Bräuer (2014). Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (in German). Berlin: De Gruyter. pp. 71–72. ISBN 978-3-11-026947-5.
71. Luciano Orabona (1999). Domenico Zelo: vescovo di Aversa nel secondo '800 : Chiesa, cultura e società politica (in Italian). Napoli: Edizioni scientifiche italiane. ISBN 978-88-8114-956-8.
72. Caracciolo was born in Naples in 1862. He was appointed Bishop of Alife on 24 March 1898, and was transferred to Aversa on 10 April 1911. The Catholic Encyclopedia: Supplement 1 (c1922). New York: Encyclopedia Press. 1922. p. 74.
73. Born in Parma in 1924, Gazza was ordained in 1949. In Brazil, where, as a member of the Xaverian Missionary Fathers (S.X. [it]), he served as Prelate of the Abbey of Tocantins and titular Bishop of Circesium (hence the name João) from 1962 to 1966. He resigned upon his election as Superior General of the Xaverian Fathers (1966–1967). He was named Bishop of Aversa on 24 November 1980, which he resigned on 27 March 1993, at the age of 68. He died on 6 December 1998. Anuário católico do Brasil (in Portuguese). Petrópolis: Editôra Vozes. 1977. pp. 68, 85. Annuario pontificio, per l'anno 1997 (in Italian). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 1997. p. 62.
74. On 30 June 1997 Chiarinelli was appointed Bishop of Viterbo by Pope John Paul II. He died on 11 December 2010.
75. CV of Bishop Spinillo: Diocesi di Aversa, "Vescovo: Mons. Angelo Spinillo"; retrieved: 21 September 2019. (in Italian)

Bibliography

Reference works

• Gams, Pius Bonifatius (1873). Series episcoporum Ecclesiae catholicae: quotquot innotuerunt a beato Petro apostolo. Ratisbon: Typis et Sumptibus Georgii Josephi Manz. p. 855.(Use with caution; obsolete)
• Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. Tomus 1 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. (in Latin)
• Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1914). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. Tomus 2 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana.
• Gulik, Guilelmus (1923). Eubel, Conradus (ed.). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol. Tomus 3 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana.
• Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice) (1935). Hierarchia catholica. Vol. Tomus IV (1592-1667). Münster: Libraria Regensbergiana.
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1952). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus V (1667-1730). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio.
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio.
• 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.
• Pięta, Zenon (2002). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi (in Latin). Vol. IX (1903–1922). Padua: Messagero di San Antonio. ISBN 978-88-250-1000-8.

Studies

• Amirante, Giosi (1998). Aversa: dalle origini al Settecento (in Italian). Napoli: Edizioni scientifiche italiane. ISBN 978-88-8114-649-9.
• Capasso, Gaetano (1968). Cultura e religiosità ad Aversa nei secoli XVIII-XIX-XX (in Italian). Napoli: Athena mediterranea.
• Cappelletti, Giuseppe (1870). Le chiese d'Italia dalla loro origine sino ai nostri giorni (in Italian). Vol. Tomo vigesimo primo (21). Venezia: G. Antonelli. pp. 434–436.
• Difesa de' canonici diaconi, e suddiaconi della chiesa cattedrale di Aversa, che con sentenza della Curia Arcivescovile aversana emanata al dì 2. aprile 1832 furono assoggettati alle assistenze ai divini ufficj di obbligo degli ebdomadarj della detta chiesa. dalla tipografia di Gabriele Gentile. 1832.
• Kehr, Paul Fridolin (1925). Italia pontificia Vol. VIII (Berlin: Weidmann 1925), pp. 279–296. (in Latin)
• Migliorini, Francesco (1796). Per l'aversano Vescovado contro alla cassinese Badia di S. Lorenzo d'Aversa (in Italian). Napoli: Real Camera di S. Chiara.
• Orabona, Luciano (1994). I Normanni: la Chiesa e la protocontea di Aversa (in Italian). Napoli: Edizioni scientifiche italiane. ISBN 978-88-7104-880-2.
• Parente, Gaetano (1848), "Aversa," in: Vincenzo D'Avino (1848). Cenni storici sulle chiese arcivescovili, vescovili, e prelatizie (nullius) del Regno delle Due Sicilie (in Italian). dalle stampe di Ranucci. pp. 43-51.
• Ughelli, Ferdinando; Coleti, Niccolò (1717). Italia sacra, sive De Episcopis Italiae (in Latin). Vol. Tomus primus (secunda ed.). Venice: apud Sebastianum Coleti. pp. 485–495.
• Vitale, R. (1936). Notizie storiche di Aversa e diocesi. Aversa 1936. (in Italian)

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Buonaiuti, Ernesto (1907). "Diocese of Aversa". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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