According to legend, Christianity was first preached in Catania by St. Beryllus.[3] During the persecution of Decius the virgin St. Agatha suffered martyrdom.[4] At the same period or a little later the Bishop of Catania was Everus, who is mentioned in the acts of the martyrs of Leontini (303).[5] This same year is marked by the martyrdom of the Deacon Euplius and others.[6]
Earliest bishops
It is said that a Domninus (or Domnicius) was Bishop of Catania and was present at the Council of Ephesus (431); the Acts of the council, however, show that he was bishop of Coliaeum (Cotyaeum, Cotyaion) in Phrygia, not bishop of Catania.[7]
A genuine bishop, Fortunatus, was twice sent with Bishop Ennodius of Pavia by Pope Hormisdas to Emperor Anastasius I to effect the union of the Eastern Churches with Rome (514, 516). Bishops Leo I appear in the correspondence of Gregory the Great. In 730 Bishop James the Confessor suffered martyrdom for his defence of images. In 750, or thereabouts, Sabino was Bishop of Catania.[8] His successor, Saint Leo II of Catania, was known as a wonder-worker (thaumaturgus).
In the 9th century, while still a Greek city, Catania became suffragan to the archdiocese of Monreale.
Under the Arabs and the Normans
From c. 827 to 1071 Catania was subject to the Arab (Saracen) occupation of the island of Sicily.[9]
In 1169 an eruption of Mount Etna completely destroyed Catania, with a loss of life of some 15,000 persons. The Bishop of Catania, Ioannes de Agello, was among the dead.[10]
On 7 July 1274 Pope Gregory X wrote to the Bishop of Syracuse that he had received information that the Bishop of Catania (Angelo Boccamazza), along with his cousin Bartolomeo Romano and two nephews, had attacked a Franciscan convent at Castro Orsino and destroyed its buildings; the Bishop of Syracuse was ordered to investigate, and if the charges were true, he was to excommunicate the offending parties.[11]
In 1409 a severe earthquake reduced the monastery of San Niccolò l'Arena to ruins.[12]
Bishop Bellomi (1450–1472) petitioned Pope Nicholas V that the Cathedral Chapter of Catania should include the dignities of the Archdeacon, Prior, Cantor, the Dean, and the Treasurer. Papal permission was granted on 12 June 1453.[13] There were twelve primary Canons and twelve secondary Canons.[14]Pope Pius V (1566–1572) abolished the dignity of Archdeacon. Originally the Canons were all members of a monastic community and followed the Rule of St. Benedict (hence the office of Prior),[15] but Bishop Vincenzo Cutelli (1577-1589) obtained permission from Pope Gregory XIII on 9 February 1578 to convert the Chapter into a corporation of secular priests.[16] Bishop Ottavio Branciforte (1638-1646) revived the dignity of Archdeacon in April 1639, and appointed his brother Luigi Branciforte, Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) to the dignity.[17]
On 11 March 1669 a major fissure opened up on the southeast side of Mt. Etna, some ten miles from Catania, and sent lava in the direction of the city. The stream passed along the walls of the city and reached the sea, but at the beginning of May fresh supplies of lava overtopped the walls of Catania and destroyed the monastery of the Benedictines. The vineyards of the Jesuits, who staffed a college in Catania, were also destroyed. By mid-May three quarters of Catania was surrounded by lava, and several streams entered the city. Fourteen towns and villages between the volcano and Catania were obliterated, leaving only the tower of a ruined church visible.[18]
From 1679 to 1818, the bishop of Catania was the Great Chancellor of the University of Catania.[19] The University had been founded in 1444 by King Alfonso I of Sicily, and was under the administration of the Senate of Catania,[20] with the supervision of the Viceroy of Sicily.[21] In 1556 the Jesuits established a secondary school ('college') in Catania.
On 9 January 1693[22] a major earthquake destroyed the city of Catania and killed eighteen thousand people.[23] Only a part of the cathedral and one house survived.[24] Another earthquake struck the ruins of Catania at the end of September 1693.[25]
In 1859 the diocese of Catania was made an archiepiscopal see, immediately subject to the Holy See.[26]
List of bishops and archbishops
The traditional chronology of early bishops may have a lack of historiographical evidences.
^Beryllus is known from the Martyrologium Romanum, a liturgical calendar used by the diocese of Rome. Ottavio Gaetani (1657). Petrus Salernus (ed.). Vitae sanctorum Siculorum, ex antiquis graecis latinisque monumentis (in Latin). Vol. I. Palermo: apud Cirillos. pp. 18–19. Pirro, pp. 514–515 (who lists numbers of authorities, beginning with Cardinal Baronius, who followed that source). The accumulation of followers does not increase the authority of the source.
^Agatha is known from the Passio S. Agathae, a hagiographical work written between the second half of the fifth century and before the eighth century. She was not, of course, a cleric. Pirro, pp. 515–516. Lanzoni, p. 626.
^Everus was said to have served in the time of Valerianus and Gallienus (250s AD). Pirro, p. 516.
^J.-D. Mansi (ed.) Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus V (Florence 1761), pp. 1223 and 1364. Lanzoni, p. 629. Lanzoni points out that the only western prelates at the Council of Ephesus were the representatives of Pope Leo I.
^Gaetani, Vol. II, p. 3. Canon Gaetano Lombardo, in: D'Avino, p. 174, column 2.
^Alessandro Musco; Giuliana Musotto (2007). I francescani e la politica. Franciscana, 13 (in Italian). Vol. 2. Palermo: Officina di Studi Medievali. pp. 190, with note 69. ISBN978-88-88615-63-9. J.H. Sbaralea (ed.), Bullarium Franciscanum III (Rome 1765), p. 214, no. XLI.
^Baratta, I terremoti d'Italia, pp. 165–173. It was estimated that in 1687 the city of Catania contained about 20,000 inhabitants. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 150 note 1.
^Umberto Benigni (1908), "Catania (Catanensis)"The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908, retrieved: 2017-3-30, states that the date was 1860, but the other sources (e.g. Cheney and Chow) unanimously say that the date was 1859.
^Fortunatus: Pirro, p. 517. Lanzoni, p. 629 no. 2. Kehr, X, p. 283, states that a bishop of Catania does not appear until the sixth century: ...licet antistites eius non prius quam saec. VI occurrant, though the diocese goes back to the fourth or even the third century.
^Elpidius was elected in Catania, and consecrated in Rome by Pope Pelagius I. Kehr, p. 286, no. 3. Jaffé, nos. 982, 992, 1001, 1030. He was remembered by Pope Gregory I. Pirro, p. 517. Lanzoni, p. 629 no. 4.
^Leo's name occurs frequently in the epistles of Pope Gregory I. Pirro, p. 517. Lanzoni, p. 629 no. 5. Kehr, pp. 287–290, nos. 5-17.
^ abcdefKnown by the discovery of his episcopal seal.
^Ansgar was consecrated by Pope Urban II. He was given a mandate by Pope Paschal II in 1111 to serve on a committee to investigate the alleged simony of Archbishop Gualterius of Palermo. Kehr, pp. 290–291, nos. 18-20.
^Bishop Robert received a re-confirmation of the privileges of the Church of Catania from Pope Alexander III dated 20 August 1171. Pirro, pp. 531–532. Kamp, p. 1204. Kehr, p. 292 no. 21.
^Leo: Pirro, pp. 531–532. Kamp, p. 1206-1207. Kamp explains that he was not 'Leo de Ravenna', there being a confusion with the eighth century Bishop Leo.
^Roger was a native of Catania. Pirro, pp. 532–533. Kamp, pp. 1207–1209.
^ Walter was Great Chancellor of the Kingdom of Sicily. In the summer of 1221 he accompanied Count Henricus of Malta on the expedition to Damietta, and, due to its failure and unwilling to face the wrath of Emperor Frederick II, Gualterius went off into exile. He was restored in 1229 through the influence of Pope Gregory IX. Pirro, pp. 533–535. Kamp, pp. 1210–1216.
^In April 1233 the see was certainly vacant. Henry was elected bishop of Bamberg in 1242. Eubel, I, p. 176 with note 1. Kamp, pp. 1217–1221.
^Oddo was a native of Rome and the nephew of Cardinal Pietro Capucci. Kamp, pp. 1224–1228.
^Boccamazza was the brother of Cardinal Giovanni Boccamazza, who was Archbishop of Monreale in Sicily. Angelo probably (according to Walter) abandoned his diocese as a result of the Sicilian Vespers of 1282, and thereafter lived in Rome. He continued to hold the title of Bishop of Catania until 1296. Pirro, p. 536. Ingeborg Walter, "Boccamazza, Angelo,"Dizionario biografico degli Italiani Volume 11 (1969).
^Fieschi, a member of the noble Genoan family, governed Catania through vicars, including Otho Abrazabeni. He visited Catania in 1313, but became involved in a lawsuit with the Benedictines, and returned to Genoa. A major eruption of Mount Etna, which began in June 1329, severely damaged Catania. Bishop Leonardo died in Genoa on 21 March 1331. Pirro, p. 537. Eubel, I, p. 176.
^Gerald studied under John Duns Scotus in Paris, and was a personal friend of Pope John XXII. He was also Latin Patriarch of Antioch (1342–1347). He took possession by proxy of Theobaldus, Archbishop of Palermo, and governed Catania through Vicars, Jacobus de Soris, then Jacobus titular Bishop of Sebasteia (Armenia), then Joannes de Grisalone and Gerardus de Lucicampo. He died in 1347, likely of the Black Death, which reached Sicily in October 1347. Pirro, pp. 539–540. Eubel, I, pp. 93, 176, 440.
^Member of the powerful de Luna family, he was a relative of the kings of Aragon, and had been a Canon of Toledo. Pirro, pp. 540–541.
^Martialis had been Abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Sant'Andrea de Insula in Brindisi. He died in Avignon in 1375. Pirro, pp. 541–542. Eubel, I, p. 176.
^Elias was a native of Limoges When he was deposed by Urban VI in 1378, Simon was appointed Vice-Treasurer of Clement VII. Pirro, p. 542. Eubel, I, p. 176 note 8.
^Simon was appointed after Urban VI deposed Bishop de Vaudron. Bishop de Vaudron continued to have the support of Antipope Clement VII of the Avignon Obedience. When Élie de Vaudron died in 1388, the diocese of Catania was given to Pietro d'Alagona (1388–1396) by Clement VII. Eubel, I, pp. 176–177.
^For the Avignon Obedience were elected: Pedro Serra (1396–1397) by Antipope Benedict XIII and then Robert (1398–1404). Eubel, I, p. 30. Pirro, pp. 545–546. Gams, p. 944. For the Pisan Obedience were elected: Mauro Cali, O.S.B. (1408–1411); Cali had been Bishop of Malta (1393–1408). He was nominated bishop of Catania by King Martin, and approved by Pope Alexander V, who had been elected by the cardinals at the Council of Pisa. Lombardo states that Cali was removed on orders of Queen Maria because he favored the party of Count Caprera her enemy. Lombardo, in D'Avino, p. 178. Gams, p. 944. Eubel, I, pp. 177, 340.
^Also italianized as Giovanni de Podio, or in latin Johannes de Podionucis, had been Master General of the Dominicans, and an adherent of Clement VII. He participated in the Council of Constance. He was confessor of Pope Martin V. Pirro, p. 547. Eubel, I, p. 177.
^Bishop Pesce was transferred to the titular diocese of Philipopolis. Pirro, pp. 547–548. Eubel, II, pp. 122, 215.
^A native of Naples, d'Avalos was appointed bishop of Catania on the recommendation of King Alfonso, with the consent of Pope Eugene IV. Summoned to Rome to defend himself against criminal activities (which had been judged by King Alfonso to be true), he died there before trial, perhaps by 12 May 1450, perhaps on 22 August. Pirro, pp. 548–549. Lombardo, in D'Avino, p. 178. Eubel, I, p. 122, with note 2.
^Bellomo was a member of Syracusan nobility. Lombardo, in D'Avino, p. 179 column 1. Eubel, II, p. 122.
^Giuliano della Rovere was a nephew of Pope Sixtus IV. King John did not approve of his appointment, and eventually appointed Francesco de Campulo to replace della Rovere, who was transferred from Catania to the diocese of Avignon. He became Pope Julius II on 1 November 1503. Campulo was never granted possession of Catania by the necessary papal bull. Eubel, II, pp. 16 no. 2; 122; III, p. 9. Pirro, p. 549. Eubel, II, p. 122, with note 3.
^Gatto had been Bishop of Cefalù (1472–1475) before his appointment to Catania. He returned to the diocese of Cefalù on 8 February 1479, and died there in 1484. Pirro, pp. 549–550. Eubel, II, pp. 122, 125.
^Bernardus had been Bishop-Elect of Cefalù when he exchanged dioceses with Giovanni Gatto. He was consecrated in Catania by Bishop Dalmatius of Syracuse on 3 November 1479. He was elected Archbishop of Monreale after the death of Cardinal Auxias Despuig in September 1483, but the King rejected his election. Pirro, p. 550. Eubel, II, pp. 122, 125.
^Carrillo was the nephew of Cardinal Alfonso Carillo. He was transferred to the diocese of Ávila on 27 June 1496. He died in 1514. Eubel, II, pp. 78, 122.
^A native of Valencia, Desprats was serving as papal Legate in Aragon at the request of King Ferdinand from April 1498. He was transferred to Astorga on 9 February 1500, but was transferred again to Leon on 4 December 1500. He was named a cardinal by Pope Alexander VI on 31 May 1503, and died on 9 September 1504. Pirro, p. 551. Eubel, II, pp. 98, 122, 174; III, pp. 8 no. 42, 221 note 2.
^Scipione Caracciolo was the brother of Marino Ascanio Caracciolo. Pirro, p. 553.
^Luigi Caracciolo was the nephew of Marino Ascanio Caracciolo. Pirro, p. 553.
^Niccolo Caracciolo was the brother of Luigi Caracciolo and nephew of Marino Ascanio Caracciolo. He was appointed when he still had not reached the age of 27; he required a dispensation. Pirro, p. 554. Eubel, III, p. 159 with note 10.
^Faraone, a chaplain of Emperor Charles V, had previously been Bishop of Cefalù (1562–1569) on the Emperor's nomination. He was transferred to Catania, on the presentation of King Philip II of Spain, on 9 February 1569. Pirro, p. 555. Eubel, III, pp. 159, with note 11; 163.
^Orozco, a priest of the diocese of Toledo and Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law), was the nephew of the Archbishop of Palermo, Francisco Orozco (1559–1561). Juan had previously been Bishop of Syracuse (1562–1574). He was presented to the diocese of Catania by King Philip II. Pirro, p. 555. Eubel, III, pp. 158, 307.
^Appointed as Bishop of Catania, he died before taking canonical possession of the diocese.
^Massimi was a native of Rome and a Referendary of the Two Signatures. He had previously been Bishop of Bertinoro (1613–1624). Pirro, pp. 558–560. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, pp. 120 with note 2; 142.
^Branciforte was born in Palermo, the son of Ercole, 1st Duke of San Giovanni. In 1627 he was appointed to the Royal Council of Sicily by King Philip IV of Spain, and was named a royal Chaplain. He was Bishop of Cefalù from 1633 to 1638. Francesco Maria Emanuele e Gaetani Villabianca (marchese di) (1757). Della Sicilia nobile. Vol. Parte seconda, continuazione. Palermo: nella stamperia de' Santi Apostoli. pp. 19–20. Pirro, pp. 560–561. Gauchat, pp. 142, 146.
^Carafa was born in Naples, and had taught philosophy and theology in houses of his Order. He was Praepositus of the house in Madrid and the one in Zaragoza. He was nominated to the diocese of Lanciano (1675–1687) by King Charles II of Spain on 1 April 1675, and approved by Pope Clement X on 27 May. He was transferred to Catania on 24 November 1687, and allowed to retain the personal title of Archbishop. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 150 with note 3; 235 with note 4.
^Cienfuegos was named a cardinal by Pope Clement XI on 30 September 1720; his red biretta was sent to him in Spain. He was appointed Cardinal Priest of San Bartolomeo all'Isola on 16 July 1721. Cienfuegos governed his diocese through a Vicar General, Pietro Gravina, Prior of the Cathedral Chapter, and, for his episcopal duties, through Paolo Stabile, O. Minim., Bishop of Bova. He was appointed Archbishop of Monreale on 21 February 1725. He died on 19 August 1739. Pirro, p. 568. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 32 no. 70; 125 with note 5; 150 with note 5.
^Moncada was born at Neti (diocese of Syracuse), and was a Doctor of theology (Sapienza, Rome 1773). He was several times Vicar General and Vicar Capitular of Messana, and a Synodal Examiner. He was presented to the diocese of Catania by the King of Sicily on 5 April 1773, and approved by Pope Clement XIV on 10 May. He was consecrated in Tusculum (Frascati) by Henry Stuart, Cardinal York, on 16 May. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 156 with note 3.
^Gravina left Catania when he was promoted to the position of Major Chaplain to the King. Gaetano Lombardo, in: D'Avino, p. 182.
^Bishop Ferro de Berardis was a native of Trepani. Gaetano Lombardo, in: D'Avino, p. 182.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Catania (Catanensis)". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
