Diocese of Forlì-Bertinoro

The Diocese of Forlì-Bertinoro () is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in Romagna, Italy. Until 1986 it was known as the Diocese of Forlì, in existence perhaps from the fourth century. In that year the Diocese of Bertinoro was united to it. The diocese is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia."Diocese of Forli-Bertinoro" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved September 25, 2016. "Diocese of Forlì–Bertinoro" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved September 25, 2016

History

St. Mercurialis is considered the first bishop of Forlì, and has been said to belong to the second century; he is also said to be the Mercurialis who was allegedly present at the Council of Rimini in 359. Both assertions are based on legends of the 11th or 12th century.Lanzoni, pp. 767-768: "Le leggende posteriori, puro prodotto di fantasia, fanno di s. Mercuriale un albanese, e lo abbassano al tempo dei Goti (secolo v); mentre il secondo gruppo delle leggende gaudenziane (v. Rimini) assegna s. Mercuriale al tempo del conciliabolo di Rimini (an. 359). Mi sembra saggio attenerci alle leggende più antiche."

On 12 July 1173, a major fire destroyed nearly all of the city of Forlì, including the episcopal palace, the cathedral with its annexes, the other churches, and the monastery of S. Mercuriale, which housed the archives.Cappelletti II, p. 320. Casali, p. 113. In 1353, another large fire destroyed the district of S. Mercuriale in Forlì and damaged large parts of the rest of the city.Casali, p. 127.

On 8 July 1286, Archbishop Bonifacio Fieschi de' Conti di Lavagna of Ravenna presided over a provincial council, held in Forlì. It was attended by the bishops of Imola, Faenza, Forlimpopoli, Ceseena, Sarsina, Adria, and Bishop Rinaldus of Forlì, as well as procurators of the bishops of Bologna, Cervia, Modena, and Parma.J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXIV (Venice: Zatta 1780), p. 614. Casali, p. 125.

In 1769, the Cathedral of the cathedral of the Holy Cross was staffed and administered by a Chapter, consisting of four dignities (not dignitaries) and nineteen Canons.Ritzler and Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 218, note 1. The dignities were: the Provost, the Archpriest, the Archdeacon, and the Primicerius."Ughelli II, p. 566.

Bishop Giacomo Theodoli (1635–1665) held his second diocesan synod in Forlì on 5 May 1639. He had previously held a synod, at some time between 1635 and 1639.Constitutiones et decreta synodalia a Jac. Theodolo Archiep. emanata in Synodo an. 1639. Forolivii: ex typ. Cimattior., 1639. Bishop Claudio Ciccolini (1666–1688) held a diocesan synod on 22 April 1675.Dioecesanae synodi Forolivien. decreta, sub episcopo Foroliviensi. illustriss. ac reuerendiss. d. d. Claudio Ciccolino Dei et apostolicae sedis gratia Episcopo Forolivii anno Domini MDCLXXV, X Kal. Maii. (Forli: Dandi & Saporetti 1675).

Consolidation of dioceses The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses.In its decree Christus Dominus, section 22, it stated: "Concerning diocesan boundaries, therefore, this sacred synod decrees that, to the extent required by the good of souls, a fitting revision of diocesan boundaries be undertaken prudently and as soon as possible. This can be done by dividing dismembering or uniting them, or by changing their boundaries, or by determining a better place for the episcopal see or, finally, especially in the case of dioceses having larger cities, by providing them with a new internal organization.... At the same time the natural population units of people, together with the civil jurisdictions and social institutions that compose their organic structure, should be preserved as far as possible as units. For this reason, obviously, the territory of each diocese should be continuous." These considerations applied to Forlì and Bertinoro. Forlì claimed a Catholic population of 178,000, with 112 priests. Bertinoro, in 1980 had only 37,650 Catholics, but 64 priests.

On 18 February 1984, the Vatican and the Italian State signed a new and revised concordat. Based on the revisions, a set of Normae was issued on 15 November 1984, which was accompanied in the next year, on 3 June 1985, by enabling legislation. According to the agreement, the practice of having one bishop govern two separate dioceses at the same time, aeque personaliter, was abolished. This applied to Bishop Giovanni Proni, who had been Bishop of Bertinoro since 10 March 1970, and at the same time Bishop of Forlì since 9 June 1976.

Instead, the Vatican continued consultations which had begun under Pope John XXIII for the merging of small dioceses, especially those with personnel and financial problems, into one combined diocese. On 30 September 1986, Pope John Paul II ordered that the dioceses of Forlì and Bertinoro be merged into one diocese with one bishop, with the Latin title Dioecesis Foroliviensis-Brittinoriensis. The seat of the diocese was to be in Forlì, and the cathedral of Forli was to serve as the cathedral of the merged dioceses. The cathedral in Bertinoro was to become a co-cathedral, and the cathedral Chapter was to be a Capitulum Concathedralis. Bertinoro which was established in 1360, has its own unique history. It was created after the destruction of Forlimpopoli by Cardinal Albornoz. There was to be only one diocesan Tribunal, in Forlì, and likewise one seminary, one College of Consultors, and one Priests' Council. The territory of the new diocese was to include the territory of the former diocese of Bertinoro. Acta Apostolicae Sedis 79 (1987), pp. 713–715. .

Bishops Diocese of Forli to 1200

MercurialisCasali, pp. 95-99. ... Theodorus (452)Bishop Theodorus received a letter of complaint from Pope Leo I, that he had not consulted with his metropolitan. J.P. Migne (ed.), Patrologiae Latinae Tomus LIV, p. 1001. Casali, p. 101. Lanzoni, p. 766, believes that Theodorus was bishop of Fréjus, not Forlì: "Non foroliviensis ma foroiuliensis (Fréjus) (J-L, 485)." ... Crescentius (attested 649)Crescentius was present at the Lateran synod of Pope Martin I on 5 October 649. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus X (Florence: Zatta 1764), p. 867 ("Crescentio Lybiensi"). Casali, p. 102-103. ... Vincentius (attested 679)Bishop Vincentius attended the Roman synod of Pope Agatho in 679, and subscribed the synodical letter which was sent to the Third Council of Constantinople of 680. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XI (Florence: Zatta 1766), p. 315. ... Apollinaris (attested 861)Bishop Apollinaris was present at the Roman synod of Pope Nicholas I on 18 November 861, to deal with Archbishop Joannes of Ravenna. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XV (Florence: Zatta 1770), p. 603. Ughelli-Coleti II, p. 576. ... Bartholomaeus ? (887)Bishop Bartholomaeus subscribed the donation of Bishop Theodorus of Fermo to the monastery of Santa Croce. Casali, pp. 104-105. Bartholomaeus is recognized by Gams, p. 697 col. 1, but not by Ughelli-Coleti II, p. 576, or Cappelletti Chiese d'Italia II, p. 316. Giovanni Antonio Muratori warns that the document is at least heavily interpolated, and perhaps a falsification. ... Rogerius (910)Cappelletti, p. 316. Gams, p. 697. According to Coleti, in Ughelli II, p. 576, note 3, Rogerius was actually Bishop of Teramo. ... Paulus (attested 939)Bishop Paulus signed the grant of a lease on property in the diocese of Ferrara that belonged to the Church of Forlì. Gams, p. 697. Casali, pp. 104-105: "Paullus Dei omnipotentis misericordia humilis Episcopus sancte Liviensis Ecclesie et Abbas monasterii sancte Marie Xenodochjo imperialis in hoc libello subscripsi." ... Ubertus (attested 962–998)On 14 May 962, Bishop Ubertus engaged in a property transfer with the abbot of S. Mercuriale. Bishop Ubertus took part in the synod of Ravenna on 1 May 998. Casali, pp. 106-107. Schwartz, p. 175. ... RaineriusCappelletti II, p. 316, without documentation. TheodoricusCappelletti II, p. 316, without documentation. ... Faustus Andolini (attested 1001)Cappelletti II, pp. 316-317, states that, in 1001, Faustus was consecrated in Forlì, the cathedral of Ssma. Trinità. ... Rodulfus (attested 1016)Bishop Rodulfus attended the synod of Ravenna on 30 April 1016. Schwartz, p. 176. Oddo (attested 1021)Oddo: Schwartz, p. 176. ... Ubertus (attested 1043)Ubertus: Schwartz, p. 176. Joannes (attested 1053, 1084)Joannes: Schwartz, p. 176. ... Petrus (attested 1117–1118)Petrus: Schwartz, p. 176. ... Drudo (attested 1149)Bishop Drudo took part in the consecration of Bishop Joannes de Columba of Piacenza. Cappelletti II, p. 317. Casali, p. 111, puts the date in 1151, citing: "Ann. ab ortu Christi MCLI v . non . Iulii Ravennae Moyses Archiepiscopus, Ioannem coenobii Clarevallis monachum et abbatem Columbae, Episcopum Placentinum designatum consecravit.... Adſuere Henricus Cymacliensium, Petrus Cerviensium, Gregorius Hadrianorum, Ubertus Bobiensium, Drudus Forliviensium, Oddo Caesenalium Episcopi". ... Alexander (attested 1160–1189)Bishop Alexander was present at the Third Lateran Council of Pope Alexander III in March 1179, as a suffragan of the ecclesiastical province of Ravenna. Alessandro built the episcopal palace. In 1186, Pope Urban III (1185–1187) appointed Alexander as a judge in a local dispute. From 1188 to 1190, Bishop Alexander acted as Vicar General of the diocese of Ravenna, while its archbishop, Gerardo (1169-1190), was on crusade. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXII (Venice: Zatta 1778), p. 216. Cappelletti II, pp. 317-318. Casali, pp. 112-113. Kehr V, p. 144, no. 1. ...

1200 to 1500

Joannes (1192–1206)Joannes: Cappelletti, Le chiese d'Italia II, pp. 321-322. Casali, pp. 113, 115. Albertus (attested 1206, 1220)Albertus: Casali, pp. 114-115. Gams, p. 697. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 253. Ricciardellus (attested 1225)Casali, pp. 114-115, 117, posits the theory that Ricciardellus was illegitimately elected, interrupting the administration of the diocese by Bishop Albertus. Albertus (attested 1232)Bishop Alberto was appointed and consecrated by Pope Honorius III (1216–1227). In 1223, he subscribed a donation made by Bishop Albert of Magdeburg. Casali, pp. 114-115, 117. Eubel I, p. 253. Henricus (1234–1249)Henricus: Casali, pp. 116-117, 119. Eubel I, p. 253. Hieronymus (or Guilelmus)Casali, pp. 118-119. Eubel I, p. 253. Richelmus (1253–1270)Richelmus: Casali, pp. 118-119, 121. Eubel I, p. 253. Rudolfus (1270–1280)Rudolfus: Eubel I, p. 253. Henricus (1280–1285)Henricus: Casali, pp. 120-121. Rainaldus (1285–1302) Thaddeus (1302–1303) Ridolfus de Piatesi (attested 1303) Thomas (1318–1342)Thomas had been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Forlì. Following the death of Bishop Rodulphus, Thomas had been elected by the Canons. The election was confirmed by Pope John XXII on 24 September 1318. G. Mollat, Lettres communes de Jean XXII Tome deuxième (Paris: Fontemoing 1904), p. 284, no. 8456. Eubel I, p. 253. Joannes (1342–1348)Bishop Joannes had been an archdeacon of Tulle. He was transferred to the diocese of Viterbo by Pope Clement VI on 15 July 1348. He died later that same year. Eubel I, pp. 253, 532. Aimericus (1349–1351)Aimericus was appointed by Pope Clement VI on 2 March 1349. He was transferred to the diocese of Bosa (Sardinia) on 20 January 1351. Eubel I, pp. 141, 253. Bartolomeo da Sanzetto, O.Min. (1351–1372)Fra Bartolomeo was appointed by Clement VI on 20 May 1351. He was compelled to flee by Francesco II Ordelaffi. Eubel I, p. 253.