Roman Catholic Diocese of San Miniato

The Diocese of San Miniato (Latin: Dioecesis Sancti Miniati) is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in Tuscany. It is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Florence.^[1][2]

Diocese of San Miniato Dioecesis Sancti Miniati
San Miniato Cathedral
Location
Country	Italy
Ecclesiastical province	Florence
Statistics
Area	691 km^2 (267 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2020) 178,734 165,394 (92.5%)
Parishes	91
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	5 December 1622 (401 years ago)
Cathedral	Cattedrale di Ss. Maria Assunta e Genesio
Secular priests	61 (diocesan) 16 (Religious Orders) 12 Permanent Deacons
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Giovanni Paccosi (24 Dec 2022)
Map
Website
www.sanminiato.chiesacattolica.it

History

In 1248 San Genesio was completely destroyed. In 1397 the town was taken by Florence, and was placed under the control of a vicar appointed by the government of Florence. From 21 January 1529 to November 1530 San Miniato was attacked and besieged by Spanish forces. More than 300 inhabitants were killed.^[3]

From 1248 the Chapter of the collegiate church of San Genesio was transferred to San Miniato, and in 1527 the head of the Chapter was granted the privilege of wearing pontifical vestments, the mitre, and the use of the pastoral staff, inside the territory of San Miniato.^[4] In 1408 the Republic of Florence wished to have it made an episcopal see, being then a territory in the archdiocese of Lucca, but the effort failed.

The situation changed when Maria Maddelena of Austria, the wife of Duke Cosimo II of Tuscany took up residence in S. Miniato, and made herself its patron. She successfully put pressure on Pope Gregory XV.^[5] On 5 December 1622 the town (oppidum) of San Miniato was raised to the dignity of a city (civitas), and was named the seat of a bishop by Pope Gregory XV. The church of S. Maria and S. Genesius was elevated to the status of a cathedral.^[6] The cathedral Chapter was to consist of two dignities (the Provost and the Archpriest) and twelve Canons.^[7] In 1755, there was only one dignity, and fourteen Canons.^[8]

The first bishop was Francesco Nori (1624).^[9]

Diocesan 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.^[10]

Bishop Alessandro Strozzi (1632–1648) held a diocesan synod on 1 December 1638.^[11] On 19 June 1685, Bishop Michele Carlo Cortigiani (1683–1703) held a diocesan synod;^[12] he held another on 3 October 1690;^[13] and another on 15 September 1699.^[14] Bishop Giovanni Francesco Maria Poggi, O.S.M. (1703–1719) held a diocesan synod on 21–22 May 1707.^[15] Bishop Torello Romolo Pierazzi (1834–1851) held a diocesan synod in 1843.^[16]

Bishops

• Francesco Nori (1624–1631)^[17]
• Alessandro Strozzi (1632–1648)^[18]
• Angelo Pichi (Pico) (1648–1653 Died)^[19]
• Pietro Frescobaldi (1654–1655)^[20]
• Giovanni Battista Barducci (1656–1661)^[21]
• Mauro Corsi (1662–1680)^[22]
• Giacomo Antonio Morigia, B. (1681–1683)^[23]
• Michele Carlo Visdomini Cortigiani (1683–1703)^[24]
• Giovanni Francesco Maria Poggi, O.S.M. (1703–1719 Died)^[25]
• Andrea Luigi Cattani (1720–1734 Died)^[26]
• Giuseppe Suares de la Concha (1735–1754 Died)^[27]
• Domenico Poltri (1755–1778)^[28]
• Francesco Brunone Fazzi (1779–1806 Died)^[29]
• Pietro Fazzi (1806–1832 Died)^[30]
• Torello Romolo Pierazzi (1834–1851 Died)^[31]
• Francesco Marie Alli Maccarani (1854–1863 Died)^[32]
• Annibale Barabesi (1867–1897)^[33]
• Pio Alberto del Corona, O.P. (1897–1907 Retired)^[34]
• Carlo Falcini (1907–1928 Died)
• Ugo Giubbi (1928–1946 Died)
• Felice Beccaro (1946–1972 Died)
• Paolo Ghizzoni (1972–1986 Died)
• Edoardo Ricci (1987–2004 Retired)
• Fausto Tardelli (2004–2014 Appointed, Bishop of Pistoia)
• Andrea Migliavacca (2015–2022 Appointed, Bishop of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro)^[35]
• Giovanni Paccosi (24 Dec 2022– )

Notes and references

1. "Diocese of San Miniato" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 7 October 2016. ^{[self-published]}
2. "Diocese of San Miniato" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved 7 October 2016. ^{[self-published]}
3. Rondoni, pp. 185-189.
4. Rondoni, p. 189 with note 2. He was also allowed to ordain clerics to minor orders (acolyte, porter, lector, exorcist).
5. Rondoni, p. 191.
6. Bullarum diplomatum et privilegiorum sanctorum Romanorum pontificum Taurinensis editio (in Latin). Vol. Tomus XII : A Paulo V (ab an. MDCXI) ad Gregorium XV (MDCXXIII). Turin (Augusta Taurinorum): A. Vecco. 1867. pp. 760–765.
7. Cappelletti, p. 319.
8. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 290, note 1.
9. Benigni, U. (1912). "San Miniato," in: The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
10. 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.
11. Cappelletti, p. 343.
12. Michele Carlo Cortigiani (1685). Decreta, et acta synodi dioecesanae Miniatensis habitae in Cathedrali ecclesia 19 mensis Iunij 1685 (in Latin). Firenze: apud hæredes Francisci Honuphrij.
13. Michele Carlo Cortigiani (1691). Miniatensis Synodus Diocesana in cathedrali ecclesia celebrata die tertia Octobris 1690 (in Latin). Florence: apud Caesarem, & Franciscum de Bindis.
14. Michele Carlo Cortigiani (1700). Decreta dioecesanae synodi Miniatensis habitae in ecclesia cathedrali die 15. Septembr. 1699. ab illustriss. ... Michaele Carolo Cortigiani episcopo Miniatensi (in Latin). Florentiae: apud Vincentium Vangelisti.
15. Giovanni Poggi (1708). Synodus dioecesana Miniatensis celebrata in ecclesia cathedrali sub auspiciis beatissimae Virginis Mariae in coelum assumptae atque ss. Christi martyrum Genesii et Miniatis ejusdem ecclesiae dioecesisque titularium pariter, ac tutelarium. 12. et 11. kal. Julii 1707 (in Latin). Lucca: ex typographia Leonardi Venturini.
16. Giuseppe Conti (1851). Orazione funebre di monsignor Torello Pierazzi vescovo di Samminiato pronunziata nei solenni funerali dal prop. Giuseppe Conti coll'aggiunta di un discorso letto al clero della cattedrale per la proclamazione del vicario capitolare (in Italian). Firenze: Stamperia sulle Logge del grano. p. 16.
17. Nori, who held the degree of master of theology, had been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Florence. He was appointed Bishop of San Miniato by Pope Urban VIII on 11 March 1624. He died on 19 August 1631. Cappelletti, pp. 341-343. Gauchat, p. 244.
18. Strozzi had been an Auditor causarum in the Papal Curia for twenty years. He was then Bishop of Andria on 4 May 1626, and served as papal nuncio in Tuscany. He was transferred to the diocese of San Miniato by Pope Urban VIII on 8 March 1632. He died on 27 August 1648. Cappelletti, Gauchat, p. 244.
19. Pichi had been Archbishop of Amalfi. He was transferred to the diocese of San Miniato by Pope Innocent X 23 November 1648. Gauchat, p. 244.
20. Frescobaldi belonged to a noble Florentine family, and had been Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Florence. He was then Prior of San Lorenzo in Florence. He was appointed Bishop of San Miniato on 9 October 1654 by Pope Innocent X. He died on 12 December 1655. Cappelletti, p. 344. Gauchat, p. 244.
21. A Florentine noble, Barducci was appointed Bishop of San Miniato on 26 June 1656. He died in October 1661. Cappelletti, p. 344. Gauchat, p. 244.
22. Born in 1595 in Peccioli (diocese of Volterra), Corsi was a Camaldolese monk and held a doctorate in theology. He was abbot successively of six monasteries. He was appointed Bishop of San Miniato on 31 July 1662. He conducted a diocesan visitation, and held a diocesan synod on 17 July 1667. He died on 30 December 1680. Cappelletti, p. 344. Gauchat, p. 244.
23. Morigia was a native of Milan, and had taught theology in houses of his Congregation. He was appointed Bishop of San Miniato on 1 September 1681 by Pope Innocent XI. On 15 February 1683, Morigia was transferred to the diocese of Florence. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 269 with note 3.
24. Cortigiani was born in Florence, and was Provost of the collegiate church of Emporio in the diocese of Florence. He was named Bishop of San Miniato on 24 March 1683 by Pope Innocent XI. In 1703 Cortigiani was appointed Bishop of Pistoia e Prato. Andrea Danti (1736). Vita di Monsignore Michel Carlo Visdomini Cortigiani, Patrizio Fiorentino, Vescovo di Samminiato (in Italian). Firenze: Bern. Paperini. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 269 with note 4.
25. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 269 with note 5.
26. Cattani: Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 269 with note 6.
27. Suares: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 290 with note 2.
28. A native of Bibbiena in the diocese of Arezzo, born in 1707, Poltri held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure from the University of Pisa. He had previously been Provost of Bibbiena, and then Bishop of Borgo S. Sepolcro (1749–1755). He was transferred to the diocese of San Miniato on 4 August 1755 by Pope Benedict XIV. He died in September 1778. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, pp. 135 with note 2; 290 with note 3.
29. Fazzi: Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 290 with note 4.
30. Fazzi: Cappelletti, p. 346. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 266.
31. Born in San Miniato in 1794, Pierazzi was appointed bishop on 23 June 1834. Cappelletti, p. 346. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 266.
32. Francesco was the third of three sons of Marchese Giuseppe Alli Maccarani. He was a Canon in the cathedral Chapter of San Miniato, and Vicar of Bishop Torello Pierazzi. On the bishop's death he was elected Vicar Capitular. On 2 December 1854 he was named bishop. He died on 10 April 1863. Demostene Tiribilli-Giuliani (1855). Sommario storico delle famiglie celebri Toscane (in Italian). Firenze: Lor. Melchiorri. p. 11. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, p. 386.
33. Barbesi was born at Tatti (diocese of Grosseto) in 1829. He had been Canon and Vicar Capitular in Grosseto in 1864. He was appointed Bishop of San Miniato on 22 February 1867 by Pope Pius IX. In 1874 he was under suspicion of having sexual relations with a local woman. He was provided with a Coadjutor Bishop, Fra Alberto del Corona, O.P., titular bishop of Draso. Barabesi died on 2 February 1897. Arnaldo Nesti (2008). Alle radici della Toscana contemporanea: vita religiosa e società dalla fine dell'Ottocento al crollo della mezzadria (in Italian). Milan: FrancoAngeli. p. 431. Vasco Simoncini, Cristina Cinelli, Silvia Desideri, Anna M. Prosperi, pp. 128-130. Ritzler-Sefrin, VIII, p. 386.
34. Bishop del Corona was already Coadjutor with the right of succession. On the death of Bishop Barabesi, he ceased being titular Bishop of Draso and became Bishop of San Miniato. He retired on 30 August 1907, at the age of 70, and was named titular Archbishop of Serdica. He died on 15 August 1912. Lodovico Ferretti (2010). Pio Alberto Del Corona: un vescovo nell'Italia nascente. (written in 1912) (in Italian). Firenze: Nerbini. ISBN 978-88-6434-022-7. G. Bardi (1958), Mons. Pio Alberto Del Corona: cenni biografici (Livorno 1958). Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 250, 386.
35. Migliavacca was born in Pavia on August 29, 1967, and was a priest of the diocese of Pavia. From 1991 to 1995 he was a student of the Pontifical Lombard Seminary in Rome, and he obtained his doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1996, with a thesis entitled: "Frequent Confession of Devotion. Theological-juridical study on the period between the Codes of 1917 and of 1983". He has taught canon law at the seminary of Pavia-Vigevano since 1996. He has been heavily involved in Azione Cattolica. In 2001 he was appointed Rector of the diocesan seminary. In 2012 he was named a Canon in the cathedral of Pavia. He was appointed Bishop of San Miniato on 5 October 2015, and consecrated bishop in the Cathedral of Pavia on 9 December 2015. He made his formal entry into the diocese on 20 December 2015. He was appointed, Bishop of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro by Pope Francis in 2022. Diocesi di San Miniato, "Il Vescovo"; retrieved 4 June 2019. (in Italian)

Bibliography

Reference for bishops

• Gams, Pius Bonifatius (1873). Series episcoporum Ecclesiae catholicae: quotquot innotuerunt a beato Petro apostolo. Ratisbon: Typis et Sumptibus Georgii Josephi Manz. p. 751. (in Latin)
• Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice) (1935). Hierarchia catholica. Vol. Tomus IV (1592-1667). Münster: Libraria Regensbergiana. Retrieved 2016-07-06. (in Latin)
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1952). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi V (1667-1730). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
• Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06. (in Latin)
• 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

• Cappelletti, Giuseppe (1862). Le chiese d'Italia dalla loro origine sino ai nostri giorni (in Italian). Vol. Tomo decimosettimo (17). Venezia: Antonelli. pp. 305–347.
• Romby, Giuseppina Carla (2004). La Cattedrale di San Miniato (in Italian). Ospedaletto (Pisa): Pacini. ISBN 978-88-7781-629-0.
• Rondoni, Giuseppe (1877). Memorie storiche di S. Miniato al Tedesco con documenti inediti (in Italian). S. Miniato: Tip. Massimo Ristori.
• Simoncini, Vasco; Cinelli, Cristini; Desideri, Silvia (1989). San Miniato e la sua diocesi: I vescovi, le istituzioni, la gente (in Italian). San Miniato: Cassa di Risparmo di San Miniato.
• Ughelli, Ferdinando; Coleti, Niccolò (1718). Italia sacra sive De episcopis Italiæ, et insularum adjacentium (in Latin). Vol. Tomus tertius (3). Venice: apud Sebastianum Coleti. pp. 269–282.

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

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