The name of Pistoia appears for the first time in history in connection with the conspiracy of Catiline (62 BC),[4] but it was only after the sixth century that it became important; it was governed, first, by its bishops, later by stewards of the Marquis of Tuscany. It was the first to establish its independence, after the death of Countess Matilda, and its municipal statutes were the most ancient of their kind in Italy.
Pistoia claims to have received the Gospel from Romulus of Fiesole, the first Bishop of Fiesole. There is no proof of this claim. Neither is there evidence of a 3rd century foundation of the diocese. The first documentary evidence of a Bishop of Pistoia, however, is c.492, though the name of this prelate is unknown.
In 998, the cathedral of Pistoia was dedicated in honor of Ss. Zeno, Rufinus and Felix, none of whom was a bishop of Pistoia.[5]
As early as 1409, Florence had asked for the creation of a diocese at Prato, on account of the dissensions of the collegiate church of Prato with the Bishops of Pistoia; and in 1460, it had been made a prelatura nullius,[jargon] and often given to some cardinal, in commendam.[jargon]
On 22 September 1653, Prato was made a diocese by Pope Innocent X through the bull Redemptoris Nostri, and united aeque principaliter,[jargon] with Pistoia.[6]
In the first half of the 20th century, both the populations and the commercial activities of Pistoia and of Prato had greatly increased. Explicitly recognizing these facts, on 25 January 1954, by virtue of the bull Clerus Populusque, Pope Pius XII separated the diocese of Prato from the diocese of Pistoia, which had up to then been united through having one and the same bishop, though maintaining separate diocesan structures.[7] Prato was to have its own bishop, and any adjustments which had to be made between the two dioceses were to be adjudicated by the Metropolitan, the Archbishop of Florence.
On 14 October 2023, with the appointment of Fausto Tardelli as bishop of Pescia, the Diocese of Pescia was united with the Diocese of Pistoia in the person of a single bishop.[8]
Chapter and cathedral
The cathedral, which was dedicated to S. Zeno, was originally administered by a Chapter, composed of twenty-two Canons, led by four ancient dignities; to these four were later added six more. The dignities included: the Archdeacon, the Dean, the Primicerius, the Treasurer, the Prior, the Sacristan, the Rector, and the Custos. At Pistoia the right of patronage over individual dignities was recognized: the Pandolfini of Florence over the Archdeaconate; the Panciatici over the Deanship; the Conversini over the Primicerius; the Bracciolini over the Treasurership; the Panciatici over the Priorate; the Alfarali over the Sacristan; the Gualfreducci over the Rectorate; and the Marchettae over the Custos.[9]
In 1667, Bishop Francesco Rinuccini (1656–1678) and the cathedral Chapter clashed over the right to appoint to vacant canonries, which were supposed to be done jointly by the bishop and Chapter. The matter was settled in an agreement of 27 September 1667, in which it was agreed that the bishop and the Chapter would make appointments alternately.[10]
In 1776 the Chapter of the cathedral of Pistoia was composed of eleven dignities and twenty-seven Canons. The Chapter of Prato was composed of five dignities (originally six: the Provost, the Primicerius, the Archpriest, the Archdeacon, the Dean, and the Treasurer) and twenty-six Canons.[11]
Diocesan synods
A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.[12]
Bishop Thomas held a synod in 1322. Bishop Hermannus Anastasi (1307–1321) presided over a diocesan synod on 8 December 1308. He held another synod in 1313.[13] Bishop Baronto Ricciardi (1322–1348) held a diocesan synod on 7 September 1322, at which the bishop and synod ratified the decrees of the synods of Bishop Thomas and Bishop Ermanno Anastasi.[14]
Bishop Francesco Rinuccini (1656–1678) held a diocesan synod in Prato in 1662.[15] He held synods in Pistoia in 1662 and 1669.[16]
Bishop Gherardo Gherardi (1679–1690) held three diocesan synods in Pistoia, the third of which was celebrated on 21 May 1685.[17] Bishop Leone Strozzi, O.S.B. (1690–1700) held a diocesan synod in Pistoia in the cathedral on 19 September 1694.[18]
Bishop Michele Cortigiani (1703–1713) held a diocesan synod in the cathedral of Pistoia on 28 April 1707.[19] Bishop Colombino Bassi, O.S.B. (1715–1732) held a diocesan synod on 5 June 1721.[20]
In September 1786, Bishop Scipione de' Ricci (1780–1791) held a diocesan synod, and published the constitutions and decrees.[21] Eighty-five of the propositions in the decrees were condemned by Pope Pius VI in the bull Auctorem fidei of August 28, 1794, four of which were specifically labeled as heretical.[22]
^On 7 July 1954, a Bishop of Prato, Pietro Fiordelli, Secret Chamberlain of His Holiness, was appointed: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 46 (Città del Vaticano 1954), p. 420.
^Cappelletti, Le chiese d'Italia XVII, pp. 148-153.
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis 46 (Città del Vaticano 1954), pp. 390-392: "Pratensem et Pistoriensem dioeceses in vicem separamus, quae ad hunc diem aeque principaliter ac perpetuo unitae exstabant; ita ut in posterum tempus unaquaeque earum dignitatem dioecesis servet, ac proprium Episcopum habeat."
^J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXV (Venice: A. Zatta 1782), pp. 169-174 (in Latin). Rosati, pp. 106-107.
^Tertia Synodus dioecesana Pistoriensis celebrata duodecimo kalendas Iunii ab illustriss. ac reverendiss d.d. Gherardo Gherardio episcopo Pistoriensi et Pratensi, (Pistoia: Fortunati 1685).
^Constitutiones synodi dioecesanae pistoriensis habitae in cath. Eccl. IV Kal. Maii MDCCVII Michaele Carolo Vicedomino Cortigianio episcopo pistoriensi et pratensi (Pistoia: Gatti 1707).
^A bishop of Pistoia, whose name is not mentioned, is alluded to in a letter of Pope Gelasius I (492–496). J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus VIII (Florence: A. Zatta 1759), p. 127. Lanzoni, p. 584, no. 1.
^In 700 Joannes is bishop-elect. Rosati, pp. 16-19. Gams, p. 750 column 1. Cappelletti, p. 81.
^Cappelletti, p. 81, claims (following Ughelli, p. 290) that he succeeded to the throne in 801. Rosati, pp. 19-23.
^Bishop Lamprandus attended the Roman synod of Pope Eugenius II in 826. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta 1769), p. 1000. Rosati, pp. 23-24.
^Bishop Gausprandus (Quasprandus) attended the coronation of Louis, son of Lothair, as King of the Lombards, in Rome on 15 June 844. Ughelli, p. 290. Rosati, pp. 24-26. Cappelletti, p. 82.
^Bishop Oschisius (Oschisus, Osipo) was present at the Roman synod of 861. Ughelli, p. 290. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XV (Venice: A. Zatta 1770), p. 602, 604. Rosati, pp. 26-29 (who believes that he was two people, Osipo and Oschisius. Cappelletti, p. 82.
^Bishop Leo joined in the schism of Emperor Henry IV and Bishop Wibert of Ravenna, who called himself Clement III (1080–1100). Ughelli, pp. 290-292. Cappelletti, pp. Schwartz, p. 220.
^Ildebrandus is called bishop-elect in a document of August 1105. He is last mentioned on 10 September 1131. Cappelletti, pp. 89-91 (with many errors). Schwartz, p.
^A Lusitanian, Atto had been Abbot of Vallombroso. In a document of December 1133, Pope Innocent II confirmed the privileges and territories of the diocese of Pistoia. Atto died on 22 May 1153. Giovanni Breschi (1855). Storia di S. Atto, vescovo di Pistoia (in Italian). Pistoia: presso Malachia Toni. p. 240. Kehr, PP. 119-120, no. 6.
^On 14 February 1154, Pope Anastasius IV confirmed to Bishop Tracia the privileges and possessions of the Church of Pistoia. Kehr, p. 122, no. 19. Cappelletti, p. 97.
^Raynaldus belonged to the family of the Counts of Romena, and was a Canon of the cathedral Chapter. Cappelletti, pp. 97-98. Gams, p. 750 column 2. Both Cappelletti and Gams place Raynaldus' death in 1189. Ughelli, p. 299, puts it in 1186.
^Umberto Benigni, "Pistoia", The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. XII. Robert Appleton. 1911. p. 118. states that Bonus was the author of De cohabitatione clericorum et mulierum. This is a mistake, as Rosati, p. 81, pointed out. Actually, Bonus posed questions to Pope Innocent III on two occasions, and the Pope provided answers (rescripta). Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 400.
^Soffredus: Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 400.
^Bishop Guintoncini Sinibaldi (Sigisbondi) was a native of Foligno and a Canon of its cathedral Chapter. He was approved by Pope Benedict XI on 2 November 1303. transferred to the diocese of Foligno. Rosati, pp. 104-105. Eubel I, pp. 256, 400.
^Bishop Ermanno was approved by Pope Clement V on 4 December 1307. On 8 December 1308 he held a diocesan synod; in 1313 he held another. He died on 15 August 1321. Rosati, pp. 106-108. Eubel I, p. 256.
^Baronto Ricciardi belonged to a noble family of Pistoia. He was Archpriest of the cathedral, and was appointed bishop by Pope John XXII on 19 February 1322. He held a diocesan synod on 7 September 1322. He served as papal legate in Bologna and Picenum. He attended the provincial synod in Florence in 1327. Rosati, pp. 107-112. Eubel I, p. 256.
^A native of Pistoia, Ciantori held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was Provost of the collegiate church of Fagero (diocese of Osimo). On the death of Bishop Ricciardi, the Chapter petitioned Pope Clement VI to appoint Ciantori, which he did on 21 October 1349. In 1356 Ciantori was appointed an Inquisitor against heretics. He died on 19 September 1356. Rosati, pp. 112-115. Eubel I, p. 256.
^Remigius was a native of Florence. He had been Bishop of Comacchio from 1349. He was appointed bishop of Pistoia on 26 April 1357 by Pope Innocent VI. He began his service by vigorously claiming his rights, both spiritual and temporal, in his diocese, and did not hesitate to level excommunications to enforce his will. Cardinal Egidio Albornoz, the papal Legate in Italy, was compelled to intervene and cancel Remigio's excommunications. In 1369, his own Canons were so exasperated with him that they wrote to Pope Urban V, the college of cardinals, and the auditors of the rota, detailing his actions which jeopardized souls and led to loss of episcopal income. He was prevailed on to resign, and died shortly thereafter. Rosati, p. 116, points out the errors that report his resignation in 1367 (Ughelli), though he wrongly calls Remigio a Dominican, and names the pope to whom the complaint of the Canons was directed as Urban VI. Rosati, pp. 115-117. Eubel I, pp. 199, 256.
^Vivenzi had been Provost of the collegiate church of Prato, and was a Scriptor litterarum Apostolicarum in the Roman Curia. He was bishop-elect of Pistoia on 2 June 1370. He was transferred to the diocese of Cervia in 1381, where he died on 29 August 1382. Rosati, pp. 117-120. Eubel I, pp. 183, 256-257.
^Donato had been Provost of the cathedral Chapter of Florence. After the death of Bishop Ubertino Albizi, he was elected bishop on 23 May 1436, and was appointed Bishop of Pistoia on 22 June 1436. He named as his Vicar Sozomen of Pistoia, the historian. He attended the Council of Ferrara in 1438 and 1439, and at its conclusion returned to Pistoia with Pope Eugenius IV, and entertained him in the episcopal palace on 4 and 5 January 1440. He died on 16 December 1474, at the age of sixty-seven. Rosati, pp. 134-140. Cappelletti, pp. 116-119. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 216.
^Pandolfini was appointed bishop on 23 December 1474. He died on 17 December 1518. Eubel II, p. 216.
^On 15 February 1509, Lorenzo Pucci was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Bishop Niccolò Pandulfini, who was named a cardinal on 1 July 1517. He was not, however, consecrated a bishop until 13 December 1513 (by Pope Leo X). Pucci himself had been named a cardinal on 23 September 1513. On the death of Pandulfini on 17 September 1518, Pucci succeeded to the diocese. He resigned eight weeks later, on 5 November, in favor of his nephew Antonio Pucci. Rosati, pp. 145-151. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 275.
^Antonio Pucci held the doctorate in philosophy and theology from the University of Pisa. He obtained the post of Canon Theologus in the Cathedral Chapter of Florence. He was named a cardinal in 1531. Rosati, pp. 151-159. Eubel, III, p. 275.
^Roberto Pucci was the brother of Cardinal Lorenzo Pucci, and the uncle of Cardinal Antonio Pucci. He was named Bishop of Pistoia by his family's friend Pope Paul III Farnese on 8 August 1541. He was named a cardinal on 2 June 1542. He was given a Coadjutor with the right of succession in the person of Pier Francesco da Galliano. Pucci was appointed Bishop of Melfi e Rapolla on 7 December 1546. He died on 17 January 1547. Rosati, pp. Eubel, III, pp. 241, 275.
^Galliano succeeded to the diocese, of which he had been Coadjutor bishop, on 10 December 1546. Rosati, pp. 164-166. Eubel, III, p. 275.
^Ricasoli: Rosati, pp. 166-169. Eubel, III, p. 275.
^A native of Florence, Gerini held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure, and had previously been a Privy Chamberlain of Pope Innocent X. He was Bishop of Volterra (1650–1653). He was appointed Bishop of Pistoia and Prato on 22 September 1653. He died on 18 May 1656, at the age of forty-one. Rosati, pp. 197-200. Gauchat, pp. 281 with note 5; 372 with note 5.
^Born in 1604, of the distinguished noble family of Florence, Rinuccini obtained the degree of Doctor in utroque iure, and served as Resident of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in Venice. On his return to Florence he was appointed Archdeacon of the cathedral Chapter. He was appointed Bishop of Pistoia e Prato on 28 August 1656. He celebrated two diocesan synods, in 1662 and 1669. He died on 11 March 1678, after a lengthy illness. Rosati, pp. 200-203. Gauchat, p. 281 with note 6.
^Gherardi died on 16 January 1690. Rosati, pp. 203-209. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 315 with note 2.
^Born in Florence, Strozzi was a master of theology, had been Abbot of Vallombrosa and was Procurator General of his Congregation. He was appointed Bishop of Pistoia e Prato on 10 July 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII, and consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni on 6 August. He founded the seminary of Pistoia. On 21 June 1700, he was transferred to the diocese of Florence by Pope Innocent XII. He died on 4 October 1703. Rosati, pp. 209-213. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 315 with note 3.
^Frosini was born in Pistoria in 1654. He obtained the degree of Doctor in utroque iure from the University of Pisa (1675) at the age of twenty-one. He was named a Canon of Pistoria in 1688, with the patronage of Grand Duke Cosimo III, and served as Vicar General and then as Vicar Capitular. He was nominated bishop by the Grand Duke, and appointed Bishop of Pistoia and Prato on 24 January 1701 by Pope Clement XI. He was transferred to the diocese of Pisa on 2 October 1702. He died on 22 November 1733, according to his tombstone. Rosati, pp. 213-218. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 315 with note 4. (Gams, p. 762, says he died on 20 November)
^Rosati, pp. 219-224. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 315 with note 5.
^He died on 11 April 1732. Rosati, pp. 224-229. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 315 with note 6.
^Born in Pistoia in 1717, and in 1741 he obtained the degree of Doctor in utroque iure from the Sapienza in Rome. He was Provost of the cathedral Chapter of Pistoia. Ippoliti had been Bishop of Cortona, consecrated in Rome on 20 May 1755. He was transferred to the diocese of Pistoia by Pope Pius VI on 15 April 1776. Ippoliti suffered a stroke (apoplexia), and died on 22 March 1780 at the age of sixty-two. V. Capponi, Biografia, pp. 244-246. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, pp. 184 with note 2; 340 with note 3.
^Debernardi died on 19 September 1953: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 45 (Città del Vaticano: Typis polyglottis vaticanis 1953), p. 704.
^Dorni was a Protonotary Apostolic ad instar participantium. He had been Vicar General of the Diocese of Novara, and Canon Theologus of the Cathedral Chapter. He was appointed Bishop of Pistoia on 12 April 1954 by Pope Pius XII. Acta Apostoliocae Sedis 46 (Città del Vaticano 1954), pp. 230-231.
Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06. (in Latin)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Pistoia". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
