The former French Catholic diocese of Apt, in southeast France, existed from the fourth century until the French Revolution. By the Concordat of 1801, it was suppressed, and its territory was divided between the diocese of Digne and the diocese of Avignon. Its seat was at Apt Cathedral, in Vaucluse.

History

The Chapter of the Cathedral of Apt was founded on 4 August 991 by Bishop Teudericus, in consultation with Prince Guillaume of Provence, Archbishop Annone of Arles, Archbishop Amalric of Aix, and Bishop Ingilram of Cavaillon, out of the clerics who served the cathedral.Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 216. The original charter establishes a corporation composed of a Provost and twelve canons. By March 1247, dignities of the chapter are named in addition to the Provost: the Archdeacon, the Sacristan, the Precentor, and the Operarius.Saint-Marthe, Instrumenta. p. 80.

In 1790 the National Constituent Assembly conceived a plan to destroy the influence of the Estates throughout France and bring the whole country under central administration. This was to be done by the creation of some 83 or 84 'départements'. At the same time the Church was to be brought into subordination by abolishing the old ecclesiastical diocesan system and creating new dioceses which would have the same boundaries as the departments. The plan made more than fifty of the 135 Catholic dioceses in France redundant. The details were enacted by the Legislative Assembly, under the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790). The diocese of Apt was one of the dioceses which were declared redundant and were suppressed. The abolition of Catholic dioceses was a violation of Canon Law, and the requirement that the clergy were to be obliged to take an oath to the Constitution in order to hold their jobs and collect their state-supplied salaries brought about a schism. New bishops and priests under the Constitutional system were to be elected by special 'Electors' in each department, who did not need to be Catholics or even Christians. That too was uncanonical and schismatic. The vows of monks and nuns were abolished by the National Assembly, and their property was seized by the State.

In 1801 First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte was preparing to end the religious confusion in France by entering into a Concordat with the Vatican. He had plans for the future, and he required a united France in order to carry them out successfully. In separate actions both he and Pius VII called on all bishops in France to submit their resignations. On November 29, 1801, by the bull Qui Christi Domini, Pope Pius VII suppressed all of the Roman Catholic dioceses in France, and immediately reinstituted them under papal authority. This act did away with whatever doubt or ambiguity might still exist as to a 'Constitutional Church' and 'Constitutional dioceses' in France. Apt was not one of the dioceses that was restored.

The name of the diocese was revived, however, by Pope Benedict XVI in January 2009, as a titular see for bishops who have no diocese of their own.

Bishops to 1100

96–102?: Auspice [260?: Leonius]Gams, p. 491, puts the name Leonius in parentheses and italics, and then adds a question mark. His doubts are extreme. [394: Octavius]A Bishop Octavius is known only as a signatory to the synod of Nîmes. C. Munier, Concilia Galliae, A. 314 – A. 506 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), p. 51. There is no evidence that he was Bishop of Apt. He is omitted by Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 193–194; and by Duchesne, pp. 283–284. 400–410?: QuentinQuentin is known only from an 11th-century reference. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 221, note 6. 410–423?: CastorBishop Castor was a recipient of a letter of 13 June 419 from Pope Boniface I, summoning him to the Council of Valence. Duchesne believes he was dead by 426. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 195–199. Duchesne, p. 282, no. 1. 431?–436: AuxoniusAuxonius was present at the consecration of the Church of S. Paul in Avignon in 436 (433?). Gallia christiana I (Paris 1716), Instrumenta, p. 137. Gams, p. 491. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 199–200. 439–442: JuliusBishop Julius was present at the Councils of Riez (439), Orange (441), and Vaison (442). Duchesne, p. 282 no. 2. Munier, pp. 71–72 (without naming the diocese), 87, 102. 517–545: PretextatusBishop Praetextatus attended the Council of Epaona (517), provincial councils of Arles (524), Orange (529), and Marseille (533); and the Council of Orange (541). Pope Vigilius addressed a letter to him on 22 May 545. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 201–203. Duchesne, p. 282, no. 3. C. De Clercq, Concilia Galliae, A. 511 – A. 695 (Turnholt: Brepols 1963), pp. 45 (without the name of the diocese), 64 (without diocese), 85 (without diocese), 142. [546: Eusebius]Eusebius' episcopacy is rejected by both Albanes and Duchesne. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 203–204 (affecting not to know the name Polycarpe de la Rivière, the notorious fabulist and forger). Duchesne, p. 282 note 8. Gams, p. 491, remarks that the Abbey of S. Eusebius was named after him. Boze, pp. 50–51, points out that some scholars consider Eusebius to be Bishop Eusebius of Arles 549–573: ClementinusBishop Clementinus was present at the councils of 549 (Orléans), 552 (Paris), 573 (Paris), and the provincial council of 554 (Arles). Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 204. Duchesne, p. 282, no. 4. 581–585: PappusPappus was present at the Council of Mâcon on 1 November 581, and Valence in 584. He was represented at the second Council of Mâcon in 585. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 205. Duchesne, p. 283, no. 5. 614: InnocentiusBishop Innocentius took part in the Council of Paris in 614. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 205–206. Duchesne, p. 283, no. 6. De Clercq, p. 281. 788: MagnericMagnericus was present at the false Council of Narbonne on 27 June 788. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 206–207. Duchesne, p. 283, no. 7. 853: TrutbertusBishop Trutbertus participated in the adjudication of the conflict between Archbishop Agilmar of Vienne and Count Wigeric. The assembly took place at the villa of Salmoringa (Sermorens) ca. 853. 867: Paul (I.)Bishop Paul concluded an agreement with the Bishop of Sisteron on 4 July 867. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 207–208. Duchesne, p. 283, no. 9. 879: RichardRichard is known by only one document, which names him as episcopus Agathensis (Agde). He becomes bishop of Apt only by emendation. Duchesne, p. 283 no. 10. 885: SendardAlbanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 209–210. Duchesne is doubtful about Sendard's inclusion, based as it is on a falsified charter and on an eleventh century document which gives no date. Duchesne, p. 283 note 5. 887: Paul (II.)Bishop Paul is known from one document, showing that he participated in a council summoned by Archbishop Theodardus of Narbonne on 17 November 887. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 210–211. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XVIII (Venice: A. Zatta 1773), p. 45. c. 951 – c. 955: RostanBishop Rostan, the nephew of Count Grifon, is known from two charters, of 951 and 955. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 211–212. c. 960 – 964: ArnulfIn 960 Bishop Arnulf concluded a transaction with Abbot Mayeul of Cluny in which the Abbot gave the Bishop a dozen properties in precarious tenure. On 19 April 964 the Bishop established a foundation in his cathedral for the good of his own soul. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 212. c. 965 – c. 984: NartoldBishop Nartold is known from a considerable number of minor charters, dating between 965 and 984. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 212–214. 989–998: TheodoricBishop Theoderic established the corporation of Canons of the Cathedral of Apt. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 214–215. 999–1110?: IlbogusIlbogus (Hilbod) is known from two charters, one of 999, the other with dating problems. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 215–216. 1010–1046: StephanusBishop Étienne died on 6 November 1046, after a reign of 35 years, 10 months, and 20 days. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 216–219. [1046?: Laugier I.]Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 219–220, considers such evidence as there is for Laugier, and rejects it all. He states that he is strongly tempted to omit him entirely. c. 1048 – c. 1080: AlphantAlfant: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 220–222. 1095?–1099?: IsoardAlbanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 222–223. There is no contemporary evidence for Isoard.

from 1100 to 1500

[1102?: Bertrand]Bertrand is said to have settled a conflict, but the document referring to the event does not exist, or no longer exists. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 223, doubts the existence of this bishop. 1103–1143: Laugier II. d'AgoutPope Paschal II, in the bull Officii nostri of 13 January 1116, confirmed various privileges to the Church of Apt and Bishop Laugier. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 223–225. 1145–1151: RaimondRaimond: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 225–226. 1158–1162: Guillaume (I.)Guillaume visited Pope Adrian IV in Rome in 1158, and was present for Easter. He obtained a bull, dated 15 April 1158, confirming the possessions and privileges of the Church of Apt. Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 226–227. 1162–1182: Pierre de Saint-PaulPierre de Saint-Paul had been Provost of the Cathedral of Apt. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 227–229. 1186–1193: Guiran de ViensDaniel Williman , The Right of Spoil of the Popes of Avignon, 1316-1415 (American Philosophical Society, 1988), p. 494. 1208–1221: Godefredus I.Geofroy: Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 230–232. 1221–1243: Godefredus II.Geofroy (II.): Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 232–233. 1243–1246: Guillaume CentullionGuillaume died on 26 January 1246. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 233–234. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1246–1256: Geofroi DalmasGodefredus Dalmatii died on 28 August 1256. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 234–235. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1256–1268: Pierre BaileBayle died on 31 May 1268. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 236–237. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1268–1272: Ripert de ViensRipertus died on 1 February 1272. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 237. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1272–1275: Raimond CentullionRaimond died on 10 July 1275. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, p. 238. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1275–1303: Raimond BotRaymond Bot was dead by 22 August 1303. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1303–1319: Hugues BotHugues Bot died on 18 January 1319. Eubel, I, p. 95. 1319–1330: Raimond Bot (II.)Raimond Bot, nephew of Bishop Hugues Bot and a member of the Cathedral Chapter, was elected by the Chapter and provided by Pope John XXII on 6 May 1319. He died in January 1330. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 242–243. Eubel, I, p. 96. Daniel Williman , The Right of Spoil of the Popes of Avignon, 1316-1415 (American Philosophical Society, 1988), p. 225. 1330–1331: Guiraud de LanguisselLanguissel was Archdeacon of Corbières in the diocese of Narbonne when Pope John XXII appointed him to Apt on 1 June 1330. After less than a year he was named Bishop of Nîmes on 10 April 1331. He died in 1337. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 243–245. Eubel, I, p. 95, 361. 1331–1332: Bertrand AcciaioliBertrand Accaioli of Florence, Archdeacon of Bologna, was appointed to the diocese of Apt on 10 April 1331 by Pope John XXII. He had not been elected by the Cathedral Chapter. He was only twenty-five years old, and thus was still Bishop-elect when he was transferred to the diocese of Bologna on 5 June 1332. Albanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 245–246. Eubel, I, pp. 95, 140. 1332–1336: Guillaume d'AstreAlbanès, Gallia christiana novissima, pp. 246–247. Eubel, I, p. 95.