The diocese of Pozzuoli is said to have been founded around 100 AD. The conjecture is based on the fact that Paul of Tarsus landed at Pozzuoli on his way to trial in Rome (Acts of the Apostles 28:13-14), and the fact that Ignatius of Antioch, when being conducted to Rome, landed in Pozzuoli. Neither reference proves the existence of a diocese, or even an established community.[3]
In 1198, the Solfatera volcano, which is less than two miles west of the cathedral of Pozzuoli, exploded violently, and the earth tremors damaged every building in Pozzuoli.[5]
In the 12th century, piracy increased considerably in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Some pirate bands captured Cumae, fortified its castello, and made it the headquarters of their activities. The bishops of Aversa, who were frequent targets, appealed to Naples for assistance, and, in 1207, obtained the aid of the military captain Goffredo de Montefuscolo, who sent aid from Naples, led by Pietro di Lettra. The pirates were scattered, and the town and castello of Cumae were taken and completely destroyed.[6] The Archbishop of Naples recovered and removed the sacred relics, the head of the cathedral chapter of Cumae, the Primicerius, was incorporated into the diocese of Aversa, and the diocese of Aversa and the diocese of Pozzuoli gained territory from the suppressed Diocese of Cuma (Italy). The archbishops of Naples permanently assumed the title of bishops of Cumae.[7]
In 1536, a series of earthquakes began in the neighborhood of Pozzuoli, culminating in the explosions of 26 and 27 September 1538, which brought into existence a new volcano only two miles west of the cathedral, called Monte Nuovo. Just before the explosion the sea receded from the beach by two hundred feet. Virtually every building in the area was damaged.[8]
In 2016, there was one Catholic priest for every 4,119 Catholics.
Cathedral
The seat of the bishop is in Pozzuoli Cathedral, dedicated to the local martyr Proculus of Pozzuoli. By the 6th century, the Temple of Augustus, a building consisting principally of marble, had been converted for use as the Christian cathedral. In the 17th century, Bishop Martín de León Cárdenas (1631–1650) had the old cathedral restored by enclosing it entirely in a baroque structure, which survived until 1964.[9] The cathedral was closed after a major fire in 1964 but reopened for worship in 2014, though in 2019 it is still open only on Saturdays and Sundays, due to archaeological and restoration work on the Temple of Augustus. During that building's closure the nearby church of Santa Maria della Consolazione in Pozzuoli served as a pro-cathedral.
The cathedral is administered and served by a Chapter, consisting of three dignities (the Dean, the Archdeacon, and the Cantor) and twelve Canons.[10] In 1775, there were four dignities.[11]
On 7 May 1300, the Canons of Pozzuoli surrendered their right to elect their bishop to Pope Boniface VIII.[12]
↑ There was a cult of a S. Celsus at Pozzuoli, but no evidence that he was a bishop. Lanzoni, p. 212: "Tutto è oscuro intorno a lui. Si hanno notizie antiche del suo culto in Pozzuoli; del suo episcopato puteolano nessuna. La sua leggenda è straordinaria...."
↑ According to Ughelli, p. 272, no. 3, he is named in the episcopal lists. Lanzoni, p. 213, points out that there is no proof of his existence, and that he may be a confusion: "Senza alcuna prova. Che sia stato desunto dai due Giovanni che compaiono nel pseudo-sinodo romano del 324?"
↑ Bishop Florentius was condemned in a Roman council of 372, perhaps for heresy, or for some other reason. He was deposed, but attempted to regain his seat in 378. Cappelletti, p. 646. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 1.
↑ Bishop Theodorus died on 13 May 435. Cappelletti, p. 646. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 2.
↑ Stephanus was a 10th century bishop of Pozzuoli, who received the dedication of the "Passion of S. Artema of Pozzuoli" by Pietro, Subdeacon of Naples. Lanzoni, p. 213. Cf. Cappelletti, p. 647.
↑ "Claudius Puteolanus" is the name read by Giovanni Domenico Mansi, in Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio editio novissima, Tomus VII, p. 959, and Cappelletti, p. 652. Lanzoni, p. 213, indicates that the correct reading is "Pausulanus", Pausulae in Piceno, thus removing Claudius from the episcopal list of Pozzuoli.
↑ Aucupius attended the Roman synod of Pope Gelasius I in 499. Cappelletti, p. 652. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 4.
↑ Geminus was given a papal mandate by Pope Paschal I. Mansi, Tomus IX, p. 734. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 5.
↑ An unnamed bishop of Puteoli is mentioned in a letter of Pope Gregory I in July 600. Philippus Jaffe and S. Loewenfeld, Regesta pontificum Romanorum Tomus I (Leipzig: Veit 1885), p. 201, no. 1787. Lanzoni, p. 213, no. 6.
↑ According to Lanzoni, p. 213, the name is a false reading of "Sosimus" in a martyrology. The name is also rejected by Cappelletti, p. 652.
↑ Bishop Gaudiosus was present at the Roman synod of Pope Agatho in 680, and subscribed the synodical letter which was sent by Pope Agatho to the Council of Constantinople. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XI (Florence: A. Zatta 1765), p. 299. Cappelletti, p. 652. Ughelli, p. 275 is wrong in having Bishop Gaudiosus actually attend the Council of Constantinople.
↑ Scherillo, p. 552 column 1. Lanzoni, p. 213. Cf. Cappelletti, p. 647.
↑ Bishop Leo resigned the episcopal throne to become a hermit in the monastery of S. Agnello. He is referred to by Peter Damianus. Ughelli, p. 276. Cappelletti, p. 652.
↑ Robert, Prince of Capua, made a grant of some churches to the diocese of Pozzuoli, on the condition of the granting of absolution (or indulgences) on Ash Wednesday and on Holy Thursday. In 1121 Bishop Donatus obtained the return of a church from Prince Jordanus of Capua. Ughelli, pp. 276-278. Cappelletti, pp. 653-656.
↑ Bishop Maurus received the grant (or the confirmation of the grant) of the decima that was paid at the castle of Pozzuoli, from Prince Richard of Capua, son of Prince Jordanus of Capua. Ughelli, p. 278. Cappelletti, pp. 657-658.
↑ Bishop M. was present at the consecration of the church of S. Gregorio in Naples, and in 1193 he signed the bull which sanctified John Gualbert. Ughelli, p. 278. Cappelletti, p. 658. The date is 1 October 1193, despite older reports of the bull as belonging to 1194: Antonella Degl'Innocenti (2001), "Giovanni Gualberto," in: Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani Volume 56 (Treccani 2001).
↑ Arnaldus was unknown to Ughelli, to Cappelletti, and to Gams. Eubel I, p. 409, gives the name and the date, and attributes his information to Gams!
↑ By an emendation of Ughelli, p. 279, Cappelletti (p. 658) sets the date of Joannes' consecration in 1298, rather than 1288. He is attested granting indulgences in 1304.
↑ Nicolaus died in September 1308. Ughelli, p. 279. Gams, p. 914, column 2.
↑ He was transferred to the diocese of Aversa on 1 June 1324 by Pope John XXII. Gams, p. 914, column 2 (giving the beginning date of December 1320). Eubel I, pp. 123, 409.
↑ Paulinus was a papal penitentiary. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 20 June 1324 by Pope John XXII. He died in 1344. Eubel I, p. 409.
↑ Landolfo Capice Latro had been cimiliarch (treasurer) of the Church of Naples. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli by Pope Clement VI on 5 July 1344. He died in 1373. Cappelletti, p. 659. Eubel I, p. 409.
↑ Ludovico de Casalibus was transferred to the diocese of Ravenna by Pope Clement VII in 1380. Cappelletti, p. 659. Eubel I, p. 409, 415 (making the date of transfer 1385 by error).
↑ Petrus had previously been Bishop of the Marsi (14 January 1380–15 June 1380). He was transferred to the diocese of Pozzuoli by Pope Clement VII on 15 June 1380. He was transferred to the diocese of Penne in 1385. Ughelli, p. 280. Cappelletti, p. 659-660. Eubel I, pp. 327, 409.
↑ Francesco was made papal Nuncio in Portugal by Boniface IX. Eubel I, p. 409 with note 4.
↑ On 20 November 1398, Bishop Philippus was transferred to the diocese of the Marsi by Pope Boniface IX. Cappelletti, p. 660. Eubel I, pp. 328, 409.
↑ Simon had previously been Bishop of Molfetta (1386–1401). He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 26 March 1401, by Pope Boniface IX and died in the same year, before October. Eubel I, pp. 335, 409-410.
↑ Torelli was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 13 October 1401. Eubel I, p. 410.
↑ A native of Troja, Di Gillioto had been Bishop of Vesta (Viesti) (1403–1405). He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli by Pope Innocent VII on 29 September 1405. He died in 1434. Cappelletti, pp. 660-661. Gams, p. 941 column 2. Eubel I, p. 411; II, p. 219.
↑ Custoni served less than one year. Cappelletti, p. 661.
↑ Lorenzo had been Bishop-elect of Ravello. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli by Pope Eugenius IV on 18 February 1435. On 30 March 1447, Bishop Lorenzo was transferred to the diocese of Tricarico on 29 March 1447 by Pope Nicholas V. Cappelletti, p. 661. Eubel II, pp. 219, 255.
↑ Pope Nicholas V absolved the cleric of Pozzuoli in a document of 31 May 1447, of having seized and used the goods belonging to the diocese of Pozzuoli for a period of more than five years. Cappelletti, 662-663.
↑ Eubel lists Ludovico as a legitimate bishop, but notes that for some years he was only administrator, because he was below the canonical age, presumably for consecration. He notes that Gams, p. 915, inserts an Angelo, with the date 1147. Gams is abbreviating Cappelletti, p. 663, who states that Angelo di Costanzo, a native of Pozzuoli and perhaps a relative of Ludovico di Costanzo, was bishop in 1447. Eubel I, p. 219, with note 1.
↑ Tommaso was the brother of Cardinal Oliviero Carafa, Archbishop of Naples. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli on 29 January 1470 by Pope Paul II. He was transferred to the diocese of Trivento on 13 August 1473 by Pope Sixtus IV. Eubel II, pp. 219, 257.
↑ Azzia had previously been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Capua. Eubel II, p. 219.
↑ Giaconi had previously been Bishop of Ugento (1489–1494). He was transferred to the diocese of Pozzuoli by Pope Alexander VI on 19 March 1494. He died in 1514. Eubel II, p. 206, 219.
↑ Dovizi was not a bishop, and indeed there is no evidence of his having received any Holy Orders. He was papal legate in France from 1515 to 1518. Cappelletti, pp. 663-664.
↑ Though a native of Milan, Carlo was not the famous Carlo Borromeo, nephew of Pope Pius IV and Archbishop of Milan. He had been Bishop of Ugento from 1530 to 1537, having been presented to the office by the Emperor Charles V. He was transferred to the diocese of Pozzuoli by Pope Paul III on 6 July 1537. He died in 1540. Eubel III, pp. 262 with note 2; 280.
↑ Castellari had been Bishop of Casale Monferrato (Piedmont) from 1525 to 1529, where he was succeeded by an Administrator in the person of Cardinal Ippolito de' Medici. In 1531 he was named Vice Legate of the Marches, and in 1538 he was restored to the diocese of Casale. He then served as Commissary General of the papal armies. He was appointed Bishop of Pozzuoli by Pope Paul III on 17 August 1540, at the request of King Philip II of Spain, with the right of retaining the diocese of Casale as well. He resigned in 1542, and was returned to Casale again. He died in 1546. Eubel III, pp. 145 with note 5; 262.
↑ Castaldo was a Neapolitan, the brother of Giovanni Battista Castaldo, Marquis of Cassano and Prince Palatine. He was a member of the Olivetan Congregation. He was named bishop of Pozzuoli at the request of King Philip II of Spain on 1 March 1542 by Pope Paul III, who granted a dispensation de defectu natalium. In 1548 he restored the cathedral, which had been struck by fire and earthquake. He died in Naples in 1586 at the age of 90. Ughelli, p. 284-285. Cappelletti, p. 664. Eubel III, p. 262 with note 4.
↑ A native of Benevento and a Benedictine monk, Vairo had been a priest of the diocese of Capaccio, Canon of Pozzuoli, and Vicar of the Lateran Basilica. He was Theologus of Cardinal Ascanio Colonna, and then Cardinal Antonio Perenotti Granvelle, Viceroy of Naples. He was Theologus of King Philip II of Spain, who preferred him to the diocese of Pozzuoli. He was appointed by Pope Sixtus V on 7 January 1587. He died in 1603. Cappelletti, pp. 665-666. Eubel III, p. 280 with note 5.
↑ Quirós was a native of Spain. He had been Bishop of Castellamare di Stabia (1601–1604). He was nominated Bishop of Pozzuoli by the King of Spain, and preconised (approved) by Pope Clement VIII on 18 August 1604. He died in Rome of disease in Ughelli, p. 285 (who states that he died in 1615). Cappelletti, p. 666 (who states that he died in 1616). Gams, p. 915 column 1. Gauchat, pp. 140 with note 2; 289. Vidal Guitarte Izquierdo (1994). Episcopologio español (1500-1699): españoles obispos en España, América, Filipinas y otros países (in Spanish). Roma: Instituto Español de Historia Eclesiástico. pp.116, no. 733. ISBN9788470094187.
↑ From 1596 to 1606 he was Bishop of Minervino in southern Italy. He had been Archbishop of Lanciano in southern Italy from 1610 to 1617. Having been nominated by the King of Spain as Bishop of Pozzuoli, he was preconised (approved) by Pope Paul V on 20 November 1617. He died on 11 February 1630. Gams, p. 915 column 1. Gauchat, pp. 214, 243, 289.
↑ On 27 August 1650 Cardenas was appointed Archbishop of Palermo. Gauchat, p. 289 with note 4.
↑ De Vivo, a priest of Naples and Vicar curate in the cathedral, was named titular bishop of Tanes, and Coadjutor Bishop of Pozzuoli on 4 May 1874. La civiltà cattolica 24th year, 9th series, Volume II (Florence: Luigi Manielli 1874), p. 472.
↑ On 14 January 1950 Castaldo was appointed titular Archbishop of Thessaloniki and Coadjutor Archbishop of Naples. He became Archbishop of Naples on 7 February 1958. Martin Bräuer, Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (Berlin: W. de Gruyter 2014), pp. 1893-1894.
↑ On 5 August 1958 Archbishop Castaldo of Naples was also named Bishop of Pozzuoli again, ad personam, by Pope Pius XII. Alfonso Castaldo was named a cardinal on 15 December 1958 by Pope John XXIII. He participated in the Second Vatican Council. He died on 3 March 1966 in the archiepiscopal palace at Naples. Bräuer, p. 1893.
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