Archdiocese of Sassari

The Archdiocese of Sassari () is a Latin Church archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Sardinia, Italy. Its see was initially at Torres, and the diocese was subhect to the metropolitan of Cagliari. It was elevated to the status of an archdiocese in 1073.David M. Cheney, Catholic-Hierarchy.org, "Diocese of Sassari"; retrieved: 12 November 2025.. From the last quarter of the 13th century, the bishops of Torres habitually resided in Sassari.

The suffragan sees of the archdiocese are the diocese of Alghero-Bosa, the diocese of Ozieri and the diocese of Tempio-Ampurias.

History

The ecclesiastical history of Torres (Turris Lybissonis) goes back to the fourth century. In 304, the soldier Gavinus, Protus a priest, and the deacon Januarius are said to have suffered martyrdom there.Lanzoni, p. 676. A number of martyrs are mentioned in inscriptions found at Porto Torres; all of them are forgeries.Lanzoni, pp. 673-675: "Del resto tutte le riferite iscrizioni sono registrate dal C(orpus) I(nscriptionum) L(atinarum) tra le falsae." Later Gavinus and Protus were reputed bishops, and said to have lived in the second and third centuries respectively. St. Gaudentius, who seems to have belonged to the beginning of the fourth century, is also venerated there.

The first bishop whose date is known is Felix (484).U. Benigni, in the Catholic Encyclopedia (1st ed.), gives the date of 404.

In July 599, Pope Gregory I wrote to Bishop Marinianus of Torres and five other bishops of Sardinia that they should not ignore their metropolitan, the bishop of Cagliari, and should not venture abroad without his permission.Kehr, Italia pontificia X, pp. 376, no. 14; 427-428, nos. 1-4.

A bishop, whose name is unknown, often called "Novellus," caused a controversy between Pope John V and the Archbishop of Cagliari in 685. He had been consecrated by the archbishop of Cagliari, though the normal consecrator of bishops of Torres was the pope. Permission had once been granted to the archbishop in an emergency situation, and he evidently attempted to continue the practice as though it were his right. Pope John cancelled the privilege.Duchesne, Le Liber Pontificalis Vol. 1, p. 366-367. Kehr, p. 428, no. 5.

Almost nothing is known concerning bishops of Torres for the next three centuries, till Simon (1065). His successor, Costantino de Crasta (1073), was an archbishop. At some point between 1092 and 1098, the papal legate of Pope Urban II, Archbishop Daibertus of Pisa, held a synod of the bishops of Sardinia at Torres. His purpose was to convince Torquitor, the iudex of Gallura, to return to obedience to the Church; on his refusal, the legate condemned and excommunicated him.Kehr, p. 420, no. 3.

Other archbishops: Blasius (1199), representative of Innocent III, on several occasions; Stefano, O.P. (1238), legate of Innocent IV in Sardinia and Corsica; Trogodario (about 1278) who erected the episcopal palace in Sassari, to which Teodosio (1292) added the Church of St. Andrea; after this the archbishops resided habitually at Sassari.Benigni, p. 485.

Transfer to Sassari Archbishop Pietro Spano (1422–1448) was a restorer of discipline, for which purpose he held a provincial council in Sassari in 1441.Cappelletti, p. 125. A. Sanna, "Il sinodo di Pietro Spano arcivescovo di Torres, testo inedito logudorese del sec. XV (9 Marzo 1442), , in: Bollettino bibliografico Sardo Anno II, no. 12 (1956), pp. 4-6. A. Ruzzu, La Chiesa turritana dall'episcopato di Pietro Spano ad Alepus 1420–1566 (Sassari 1974), p. 149. During Spano's episcopate, on 3 April 1441, the episcopal seat was definitively transferred to Sassari by Pope Eugenius IV. The name of the diocese, however, remained the same.Rivista di storia della chiesa in Italia, Volume 62 (Roma, 2008), p. 684. Graziella Lintas, La bolla della traslazione. Eugenio IV e il trasferimento della sede vescovile turritana (Cargeghe: Biblioteca di Sardegna–Documenta 2008). The bishop intended to erect a seminary for the training of the clergy, but his death frustrated the plan.

Salvatore Salepusi (1553) was distinguished at the Council of Trent. Alfonso de Sorca (1585), was highly esteemed by Clement VIII.

In 1503, Pope Julius II united the Archdiocese of Sassari with the diocese of Ploaghe (Plubium) and the diocese of the Diocese of Sorres (Sorrensis),Gaetano Moroni, Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica Vol. 53 (Venezia: Emiliana 1851), p. 315. which had been united permanently with the suppressed diocese of Bosa by Pope Eugenius IV in 1445.Maffei, p. 228. Moroni, Vol. 67 (1854), p. 233, states that the suppression of Sorres (Sorra) took place under Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503).

Bishops and archbishops of Torres

Bishops ? Felix ( 484)In 484, a Bishop Felix was summoned to a meeting with the Arian king of the Vandals, Huneric, in Carthage. There were two Turritanus, however, one in Sardinia and the other in Africa. The orthodox bishops were exiled to Corsica, or executed. Mattei, p. 144. Cappelletti, p. 114. Lanzoni, p. 677. Marinianus ( 591–599)Mattei, p. 144-145. Cappelletti, p. 114. Lanzoni, p. 677. Valentinus ( 649)Bishop Valentinus was present at the Lateran synod of Pope Martin I in October 649. J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima , Vol. 10 (Florence: A. Zatta 1764), p. 867. Mattei, p. 145. [Anonymous] ( 685)Usually called "Novellus", without warrant. Mattei, pp. 145-146. ...

Simon (1065)Vidili, p. 82.

Archbishops

From 1073 to 1298 Constantinus de Castra ( 1073–1074)Constantine was consecrated and named archbishop of Torres at Capua in September or the first half of October 1073; he is referred to by Pope Gregory VII in a letter of 16 January 1074. Kehr, p. 428, nos. 6–7. Philippus Jaffé, Regesta pontificum Romanorum 2nd ed. Vol. 1 (Leipzig: Veit 1885), p. 601, no. 4800; p. 602, no. 4817. Vidili, pp. 82-83. Christopher (1090)Videli, pp. 83-84. Atto (Azzo) ( 1112–1116)Jaffé, pp. 428-429, nos. 8-9. Vidili, pp. 84-86. Manfred (1116)Archbishop Manfredi was also a canon of Pisa. He participated in the consecration of the church of San Stefano di Carreria by Archbishop Pietro of Pisa. Vidili, pp. 86-87. Petrus de Canneto (1134–1139)Vidili, pp. 90-91. Atto ( 1139–1146)Vidili, pp. 91-92. Petrus Manacu (1153–1170)Vidili, p. 92. Albertus, O.S.B. (1170–1178)Vidili, pp. 93-94. Erbertus, O.Cist. (1181–1196)Eribertus is said to have been born at Leon (Spain) and to have been a monk of Clairvaux. Vidili, pp. 94-95. Bandinus (Biagius) (1196 ?–1199)In December 1202, Biagio was still bishop-elect. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 503 with note 2. Vidili, pp. 95-96. Ignotus ( 1200–1201)Vidili, pp. 96-97. Biagio (1202–1217)Vidili, pp. 98-106. Januarius ( 1218–1226)Eubel I, p. 503. Cf. Vidili, pp. 106-107; 107-108. Placentinus (1230)Placentinus: Eubel I, 504. Vidili, pp. 108-110. OpizzoOpizzo is mentioned as archbishop-elect on 13 September 1231. Gams, p. 839. Vidili, pp. 110-111. Stephanus, O.P. (1249–1252)Stephanus: Eubel I, 504 with note 3. Vidili, pp. 113-119. Prospero ( 1261–1264)Vidili, pp. 121-123. Dergotorius (Torgatorius) ( 1278–1289)"Dergotorius" in the papal bull. A. Thomas et al., Les registres de Boniface VIII Vol. 1 (Paris: E. de Boccard 1907, p. 342, no. 980 (4 March 1296). Vidili, pp. 123-124. Pandulfus (1290–1296) AdministratorOn the death of Archbishop Dergotorius, the Chapter of Sassari elected in the midst of discord Bishop Raynerius of Ploaghe, a suffragan of Torres. Pope Nicholas IV (1288–1292) rejected the candidate, and reserved the appointment of the bishop to the Papacy. In the menatime, he appointed the exiled Bishop Pandulf of Patti administrator. A. Thomas et al., Les registres de Boniface VIII Vol. 1 (Paris: E. de Boccard 1907, p. 342, no. 980 (4 March 1296). Eubel I, p. 403, 504. Vidili, pp. 124-126. Giovanni Balasro, O.Min. (1296–1298)Giovanni had been archbishop of Nicosia (Cyprus (1288–1296). A. Thomas et al., Les registres de Boniface VIII Vol. 1 (Paris: E. de Boccard 1907, p. 342, no. 980 (4 March 1296). Eubel I, pp. 365 with note 8; 504. Vidili, pp. 126-127.

From 1298 to 1422

Theodicius (Theodoricus) (1298–1322)Theodicius (Theodorus) was a native of Pisa. >Maffei, pp. 158, col. 2. Eubel I, p. 504 with note 6. Jacobus (1324–1327)Jacobus: Eubel I, p. 504 with notes 7-8. Pietro de Portillo, O.P. (1327–1349)Maffei, pp. 158-159. Eubel I, p. 504 with note 9. Bartholomaeus Galmarii (1349–1352)Bartolomeo Jalmar: Eubel I, p. 504 with note 10. Diego de Navasquez, O.Carm. (1354–1355)Maffei, pp. 159. Eubel I, p. 504. Arnaldus Bordach, O.Cist. (1355–1360)Arnaldus Bordach: Eubel I, p. 504 with note 11. Arnaldus Bajuli, O.Min. (1360–1368)Arnaldus Bajuli: Eubel I, p. 504, with note 12. Bernardus, O.Min. (1368–1369)Bernard had been Archdeacon of Mazara and Collector of papal revenues in Sardinia and Corsica. He had been bishop of Ploaghe (1361–1368). He was transferred to the diocese of Sassari by Pope Urban V on 12 January 1368. He was appointed archbishop of Cagliari on 8 August 1369. Eubel I, pp. 157; 403 with note 6; 504. Guglielmo Belvaisii, O.Min. (1369–1371)Guglielmo Belvaysii: Eubel I, p. 504; p. 157. Giacomo de Lanfranchis, O.P. (1371–1372)Giacomo Gualterotti de Lanfranchis was a native of Pisa, and a Dominican. He became procurator of his Order at the papal court, and was named archbishop of Sassari at the request of the authorities of Pisa. Maffei, p. 159, col. 2. Eubel I, p. 504. Giacomo Petri, O.P. (1372–1373)Giacomo was appointed on 11 October 1372, and was consecrated in Pisa by the archbishop of Pisa. He died on 30 June 1373. Maffei, p. 159, col. 2-160. Cappelletti, p. 124. Eubel I, p. 504 with note 14. Giovanni de Fornellis, O.Min. (1373–1387?)Maffei states that Giovanni was summoned to Barcelona in 1380, to attend the meeting to decide the claims of Urban VI and Clement VII to the papal throne. Gams, p. 840, posits an ending date for his episcopacy at 1387. Maffei, p. 160. Eubel I, p. 504. Giovanni de Passaviis, O.P. (1391-1393) Avignon ObedienceGiovanni had been Prior of the cathedral Chapter of Urgel. He was appointed archbishop of Sassari by Pope Clement VII on 1 July 1391. Eubel I, p. 504. Guglielmo, Roman ObedienceFive bishops were appointed by Urban VI (1378–1389) during the eleven years of his reign. None of them took possession of the diocese of Sassari, which was in the hands of the Crown of Aragon, which did not recognize Urban VI. None of these is recognized by Gams, p. 840. Eubel I, p. 504. Bertrandus, Roman Obedience Paulus, Roman Obedience Jacobus, Roman Obedience Franciscus, Roman Obedience Ubaldus Bonamici (1393–1397) Roman ObedienceUbaldo Campi, a native of Florence, and held the degree of doctor of Canon Law; he may have been an Apostolic Referendary (judge) in the papal Court. He was named bishop of Cortona and collector of papal funds in Bohemia. He was Apostolic Nuncio in Bohemia (1392–1393). He was appointed archbishop of Sassari by Boniface IX on 8 March 1393, while still bishop-elect of Cortona. He was transferred by Pope Boniface to the archbishopric of Oristana (Sardinia) on 4 April 1397. He died in 1400. Maffei, p. 160. Eubel I, pp. 102; 213 with note 2; 504 with note 15. Antonio Cippolini, O.P. (1397–1399), Roman Obedience Perinus (1399– ), Roman ObediencePerinus was appointed by Boniface IX on 8 August 1399. Maffei, p. 160. Eubel I, p. 504 with note 16.. Giovanni de Azaro (1412– ), Pisan ObedienceGiovanni was appointed by Pope John XXIII on 4 May 1412. He died in 1422. Eubel I, p. 504.

From 1422 to 1700

Pietro Spano (1422–1448) Antonio Cano (1448–1476)Canus had been Bishop of Bisarchi, a suffragan of Sassari (1436–1448). He paid for his bulls on 23 October 1448. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 159, 259. Giovanni de Sos (1478–1480 )Sos had been dean of the cathedral Chapter of Barcelona. Eubel II, p. 259. Berenger de Sos (1481– ? )Berengarius Sos was appointed on 19 January 1481. Eubel II, p. 259.