The Diocese of Termoli-Larino () is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church situated in the province of Campobasso, region of Molise. The commune of Termoli is an important regional seaport on the Adriatic. The diocese has existed in its current configuration since 1986, when the diocese of Larino was suppressed and added to its territory. It is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Campobasso-Boiano."Diocese of Termoli-Larino" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved March 29, 2016"Diocese of Termoli-Larino" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved March 29, 2016
History In 946, Pope Agapitus II (946–955) personally consecrated two bishops, the priest and monk Leo for the diocese of Trivento, and the priest Benedict for the diocese of Termoli. This produced an immediate protest from Archbishop Joannes of Benevento, who, as metropolitan, enjoyed the privilege of consecrated suffragan bishops in his ecclesiastical province."qui ostendit privilegia ab antecessoribus suis pontificibus facta, quod Triventina et Termolensis ecclesiae antiquitus subditae fuissent Beneventano episcopo." Agapitus admitted that he had done this in ignorance and contrary to the rules (irrationabiliter a sese episcopis consecratis et ipsum ordinem rei nesciente), and he ordered the clergy and laity of the two dioceses not to receive Leo and Benedict as their rightful bishops.Kehr IX, p. 188, nos. 1-3. Cappelletti XIX, p. 351.
According to Ferdinando Ughelli,Ughelli VIII, pp. 63, 374. whose information is repeated by nearly all authorities, the earliest known bishop of Termoli was Scio, who subscribed a bull of Pope John XIII in 969, establishing the ecclesiastical province of Benevento. The actual text of the bull, however, does not name Scio's diocese.Bullarum diplomatum et privilegiorum sanctorum romanorum pontificum Taurinensis editio (in Latin). Vol. I. Turin (Augusta Taurinorum: Dalmazzo 1858), p. 422. J.-P. Migne (ed.), Patrologiae Latinae Collectio Tomus CXXXV (Paris 1853), p. 978. Cappelletti III, p. 62, calls him "Sico sanctae Bleran. ecclesiae", while admitting that there are many differences between the original and published versions. Gerhard Schwartz, Die Besetzung der Bistümer Reichsitaliens unter den sächsischen und salischen Kaisern: mit den Listen der Bischöfe, 951-1122, , (Leipzig: B.G. Teubner 1907), p. 255, provides evidence for Scio at Bieda. Klewitz, p. 51, accepts the attribution of Scio to the diocese of Bieda in Latium. The diocese was a suffragan (subordinate) of the archdiocese of Benevento.Kehr IX, p. 187: "Termulensem ecclesiam antiquitus Beneventanae sedi subiectam esse patet ex bulla Agapiti II (n. 3), qua presbyterum quendam irrationabiliter a se in episcopum consecratum excommunicavit."
The earthquake of 11 October 1125 caused considerable damage in Termoli.M. Baratta, I terremoti d'Italia (Torino: Bocca 1901), pp. 25, 802: "fu pure danneggiata la facciata della cattedrale di Termoli." "Termoli fu gravemente danneggiato dal parossismo del 1125 per il quale Larino non rimase incolume."
Destruction in war with Venice In May 1219, the Emperor Frederick II gave orders that Termoli should be fortified with five fortresses (casalitia).Eduard Winkelmann (1880), Acta imperii inedita, saeculi XIII et XIV: Urkunden und Briefe zur Geschichte des Kaiserreichs und des Konigreichs Sizilien Vol. I (Innsbruck: Wagner 1880), pp. 138–139: "... insuper in suburbio Termularum de demanio nostro casalitia quinque in maiori strata publica libere et omni servitio absoluta...." In 1242, the Venetians, who had long been urged to come to the support of the Papal States in the struggle with Frederick II, finally opened a campaign in Apulia by attacking Termoli. The city was ruined.Camillo Manfroni, Storia della marina italiana (Livorno: R. Accademia navale 1899), p. 394. F. C. Hodgson, Venice in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries (London: George Allen 1910), p. 85. Frederick immediately had the castrum of Termoli rebuilt.c. 1241–1245: "Castrum Termularum potest reparari per homines ipsius terre, item per homines baronie domini Corradi de Stipite et Thomasii fratris eius, item per homines Cebize, sancte Sophie, Celdoni et casalium suorum, Cerciae maioris et casalium suorum, Plenti, sancti Nicolai de Sacione, Civilelle de Celdono, Montislongi et Civitelle de Benosto." Winkelmann, p. 771. In the autumn of 1297, Frederick wrote to the justiciar of the Capitinata, appointing Hugo de Abbemara castellan of the castrum of Termoli, and assigning him sufficient soldiers and a port officer.Winkelmann, p. 692.
In 1620, a serious earthquake caused heavy damage to the façade of the cathedral of Termoli.Baratta, p. 120: "gravi danni alla facciata della Cattedrale di Termoli."
Population In 1677, the population of Termoli was c. 300 persons.Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 376, note 1. In 1753, it was estimated at 1,000 persons.Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 403, note 1. In the census of 1861, the population had risen to 2626.Amato Amati (ed.), Dizionario corografico dell'Italia, Volume 8 (Milano: Vallardi 1871), p. 121.
Chapter and cathedral The cathedral in Termoli is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and S. Bassus, whose body is buried in the church. It is administered by a corporation called the Chapter,C.D. Fonseca, "La cattedrale e il suo Capitolo. Analisi comparata in prospettiva storica, ecclesiologica e canonistica," , in: Annali di Studi Religiosi Vol. 4 (2003), pp. 215-235. consisting of twelve canons, including three dignities (the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, and the Primicerius). The cathedral is also a parish church, and the spiritual needs of the parishioners are serviced by the Archpriest.Ughelli VIII, p. 374. Kehr IX, p. 189.
After the French Following the extinction of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, the Congress of Vienna authorized the restoration of the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples. Since the French occupation had seen the abolition of many Church institutions in the Kingdom, as well as the confiscation of much Church property and resources, it was imperative that Pope Pius VII and King Ferdinand IV reach agreement on restoration and restitution. Ferdinand demanded the suppression of fifty dioceses.
A concordat was finally signed on 16 February 1818, and ratified by Pius VII on 25 February 1818. Ferdinand issued the concordat as a law on 21 March 1818.F. Torelli (1848), La chiave del concordato dell'anno 1818 I, second edition (Naples: Fibreno 1848), pp. 1-19. On 27 June 1818, Pius VII issued the bull De Ulteriore, in which the ecclesiastical province of Benevento was restored, including it suffragans, among them the diocese of Termoli.Pius VII, Bullarii Romani Continuatio Tomus 25 (Rome 1853), p. 58 § 15: "Ecclesia archiepiscopalis Beneventana dominio Sedis apostolicae etiam in temporalibus subjecta suffraganeas habere perget episcopales in regia ditione citra Pharum existentes ecclesias Avellinam, Arianensem, Bovinensem, Lucerinam, sancti Severi, Cerretanam et Thelesinam unitas, Bojanensem, Thermularum, Larinensem, et sanctae Agathae Gothorum..." The decision was also made to suppress permanently the diocese of Guardialfiera, and to incorporate its territory into the diocese of Termoli."De Ulteriore", p. 58 § 11: "Supprimimus ulterius episcopalem ecclesiam Guardiensem, ac civitatem et dioecesim Guardiensem episcopali ecclesiae Thermularum perpetuo unimus atque incorporamus..." Guardialfiera is a small town near Cerrato, which had its first bishop in 1075 and its last in 1804.
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,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. Pope Paul VI ordered a reorganization of the ecclesiastical provinces in southern Italy. On 21 August 1976, he issued the decree "Ad apicem", creating the new ecclesiastical province entitled «Boianensis-Campobassensis», with its administrative center in Campobasso. The metropolitan archdiocese was assigned as suffragans the dioceses of Trivento (which had been immediately subject to the Holy See), Isernia-Venafro (which had been subject to the metropolitan archdiocese of Capua), and Termoli-Larino (which had been subject to the metropolitan archdiocese of Benevento.Acta Apostolicae Sedis 68 (Città del Vaticano 1976), pp. 594-595.
Bishops
Diocese of Termoli Erected: 10th Century Latin Name: Thermularum
to 1500
... Nicolaus (attested 1071–1075)Bishop Nicolaus was present at the consecration of the new basilica dedicated to Saint Benedict at the monastery of Montecassino on 1 October 1071, by Pope Alexander II. He was assisted by Cardinal Hildebrand and other cardinals, by ten archbishops, and forty-four bishops, as well as abbots, clergy, nobles, and people. Luigi Tosti, Storia della Badia di Monte-cassino, , I (Napoli: F. Cirelli 1842), pp. 337-341; 403-411. Leo Marsicanus, "Chronica Monasterii Cassinensis", Book III, , in: Monumenta Germaniae Historia Scriptorum Tomus VII (Hannover: Hahn 1846), pp. 719-722. Ughelli VIII, p. 374. Klewitz, p. 51. He was present at the Third Provincial Council of Benevento on 1 April 1075. Synodicon S. Beneventanensis ecclesiae continens concilia 19... cura, labore... fr. Vincentii Mariae... cardinalis Vrsini archiepiscopi, , (Benevento: ex typographia Archiepiscopali, 1695), p. 22. ... Jocelinus (1095)Jocelinus: Klewitz, p. 51, citing Di Meo, but noting that there is no documentary evidence. ... Ursus (attested 1126)Ursus: Klewitz, p. 51 ... Goffridus (attested 1179)Bishop Goffridus attended the Third Lateran Council of Pope Alexander III in March 1179. Ughelli VIII, p. 374. ... Alferius (attested 1196)Alferius: Ughelli VIII, p. 374, referring to documents from the monastery of Casa Nova (diocese of Penne). ... Angelus (attested 1226)Eubel I, p. 483. Stephanus (attested 1235) Valentinus (attested 1254)Magister Valentinus had been a canon of the collegiate church "Garganice", was elected by the Chapter of Termoli, and confirmed by the archbishop of Benevento. On 16 October 1254, permission was granted by Pope Innocent IV to the bishops of Larino, Guardia, and Fiorentino to consecrate him. Élie Berger, Les registres d'Innocent IV Tome III (Paris: Fontemoing 1897), p.549, no, 8080. Eubel I, p. 483. Joannes (attested 1265) ... Bartholomaeus Aldomarisso (attested 1304) Joannes (attested 1318) Bartolommeo (d. 1352) Lucas (1353 – 1364)Lucas: Eubel I, pp. 483-484 with note 3. Francesco della Stella (1364 – 1372)Cappelletti XIX, p. 352. Eubel I, p. 484. Jacobus da S. Andrea, O.P. (1372 – 1379?)Jacopo de Ceni (Senis), O.P.: Cappelletti XIX, p. 353. Eubel I, p. 484. Giovanni da San Gemino (1379 – ? ) Avignon Obedience Domenico del Girarda, O.Serv. (c. 1379 ? – c. 1387) Roman ObedienceDomenico: Cappelletti XIX, p. 353. Eubel I, p. 484. Andreas (1388 – 1390) Roman Obedience Constantinus (1390 – 1395) Roman Obedience Petrus (1395 – c. 1400) Roman Obedience Thomas Antonio (1402 – 1403)