The Territorial Prelature of Santa Lucia del Mela (Latin : Capellania Major Sanctae Luciae de Milatio) was a Roman Catholic territorial prelature in Italy, located in the city of Santa Lucia del Mela, a commune (municipality) in the administrative Province of Messina on the island of Sicily. The incumbent was an abbot, and therefore a prelate; he might or might not also have been a titular bishop of some abandoned diocese. The Prelature of Santa Maria del Mela was not itself a diocese. In 1986, the Prelature was suppressed and merged into the Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela. [1] [2]
The territory on which the church of Santa Lucia was founded was originally a part of the diocese of Troina. When that diocese was suppressed it became part of the diocese of Messina (1090), [3] and then part of the diocese of Patti (1131). [4]
The office of capellanus major Regis existed by 1148, when Joannes de Nusco is found in that capacity, though he is not attached to any particular place, but served in the royal court at the head of the royal chapel. [5]
During the vacancy in the Churches of Patti and Lipari, following the death of Bishop Stephanus (1180 – 1199), the Emperor Frederick II established a royal chapel at Santa Lucia in 1206, using his authority as apostolic legate. He established Gregorius Mastaccio, his capellanus major, with all the quasi-episcopal rights, privileges, and powers as belonged to the diocese of Patti. In Sicilian councils, the abbot (prelate) holds a position after the archbishops and bishops, but before any of the other abbots in the kingdom. [6]
The episcopal palace, situated on the main square and with a garden attached, was a gift from King Philip III to Abbot Simone Rao (1602–1616) by an act of 8 November 1613. [7]
Abbot Girolamo Riggio (1585–1589) presided over a diocesan synod in 1590. [8] Abbot Antonio Franco (1616–1626) held a diocesan synod in 1618. [9] On 1 September 1679, Abbot Simone Impellizzeri (1670–1701) held a synod for the Territorial Prelacy of Santa Lucia del Mela. [10]
The principal prelatial church of Santa Lucia was originally served by simple priests. It was the only parish church in the Prelacy. Bishop Simone Impellizzeri (1670–1701) abolished the existing system and established a collegiate church, with three dignities (the Archdeacon, the Deacon and the Cantor) and eighteen canons, with twelve mansionarii and two chaplains. [11] The total population of the Prelature was 4262, in 1742, at the time of the Visitation. [12] There are now two other parishes in the city, San Michele and Annunciation. [13]
The Prelature was served by 102 priests, and there was a Benedictine monastery in the city. There were also convents of Conventual Franciscans, Capuchins, and Observant Franciscans. [14]
Abbot Simone Impellizzeri (1670–1701) moved to establish a clerical seminary in 1700, in the oratory of Saint Philip Neri on the citadel, and made extensive efforts to find adequate funding. The seminary was in operation for four years, but after the death of the abbot in 1701, it was neglected. Another revival was attempted, with a wider base of students, and with the help of the commune, which was granted the right to name four pupils. During the royal Visitation of 1742, the Visitor ordered the creation of a committee to restore the seminary. [15]
On 30 September 1986, the Congregation for Bishops, in the decree "Instantibus Votis," suppressed the diocese of Lipari and the territorial prelacy of Santa Lucia del Mela, and united their territories to the renamed Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela. The changes were made necessary due to the new concordat of 1984 between the Papacy and the Italian republic, and consequent legislation. [16] The Praelatial Church of Santa Lucia was granted the title and status of a co-cathedral, and its Chapter was to have the title of Chapter of the co-cathedral. [17]