Roman Catholic Diocese of Acqui

The Diocese of Acqui (Latin: Dioecesis Aquensis) is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church that straddles the (civil) regions of Piedmont and Liguria, in northwest Italy. The ancient Roman name of the place was Aquae Statiellae, which was sometimes confused with Aquae Sentiae (Aix-en-Provence), and Aquae Augustae (Dax), where there were also bishops. Acqui had always been subordinate to the Province of Milan, down until 1817, when Pope Pius VII assigned it to the Province of Turin.[1] As a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Turin,[2][3] it falls within the ecclesiastical region of Piedmont.

Diocese of Acqui

Dioecesis Aquensis
Acqui Terme Cathedral
Location
CountryItaly
Ecclesiastical provinceTurin
Statistics
Area1,683 km2 (650 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2015)
156,100 (est.)
148,500 (est.) (95.1%)
Parishes115
Information
DenominationCatholic Church
RiteRoman Rite
Established4th century
CathedralCattedrale di Nostra Signora Assunta
Secular priests95 (diocesan)
8 (Religious Orders)
16 Permanent Deacons
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopLuigi Testore
Bishops emeritusPier Giorgio Micchiardi
Map
Website
www.diocesiacqui.piemonte.it

History

It is probable that the diocese of Acqui was established at the end of the fourth century, about the same time, it would appear, as the dioceses of Novara, Turin, Ivrea, Aosta and perhaps, Asti and Alba.

The first undoubted bishop of Acqui was Ditarius. A tablet found in 1753 in the church of St. Peter, indicates that Ditarius, bishop of Acqui, died on 25 January 488, in the Consulate of Dinamias and Syphidius.[4]

Popular tradition gives Deusdedit, Andreas, Severus, Maximus, and, earliest of all, Majorinus, as bishops prior to him. Majorinus probably lived either at the end of the fourth, or in the beginning of the fifth, century.[5] The name was very common in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries.[6] Veneration was offered to the saint from time immemorial by the church in Acqui, shown by his statues and relics. This veneration, however, has ceased since a decree of the Congregation of Rites (8 April 1628) prohibited the veneration of saints whose sanctity had not been declared by the Holy See.

In the list of the bishops of Acqui appears Saint Guido (1034–70), who was said to be a member of the family of the Counts of Acquesana,[7] under whose patronage the cathedral was erected.[8] He is the patron saint of Acqui.[9]

Acqui and Alessandria

In 1068 the new city of Alessandria, named in honor of Pope Alexander III, was created, with the object of countering the political maneuvers of the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. In 1070 a delegation was sent to Rome, which presented the city to the Pope as a vassal of the Holy Roman Church. In 1075, Pope Alexander erected a new diocese at Alessandria, and provided its first bishop, Arduinus. The territory of the new diocese was taken from that of the diocese of Acqui. In 1180, Archbishop Algisius of Milan, acting on authority delegated to him by Pope Alexander, decreed the union of the two dioceses in the person of Bishop Uberto Tornielli of Acqui, who would take the title of Bishop of Alessandria, but the arrangement was acceptable neither to the people of Acqui nor to Bishop-elect Otto of Alessandria, and therefore the union did not take effect.

The new diocese of Alessandria, however, supported the Emperor Otto IV against the Papacy, and therefore in 1202[10] Pope Innocent III suppressed the diocese of Alessandria and reunited its territory to the jurisdiction of the diocese of Acqui. The bishop was ordered to live six months at Acqui and six months at Alessandria.[11]

Friction developed between Bishop Uberto, who was in favor of the union, and the Chapter of the Cathedral of Acqui, who envisioned the loss of their status and prerogatives if the bishop should move to Alessandria. Bishop Uberto therefore appealed to the Pope on 16 February 1205. On 16 May, Pope Innocent III sent representatives to Piedmont to bring about the union,[12] deciding that the bishop would be called the Bishop of Alessandria and Acqui. Their work was ratified by the Pope.[13] Bishop Uberto began to use the double title.[14] Bishop Uberto, however, was caught in some simonical transactions with regard to churches in both dioceses which were not under episcopal control, and he was suspended by Innocent III from his functions on 12 October 1211. His repentance was apparently unsatisfactory, since Pope Innocent accepted his resignation from his episcopal functions on 12 November 1213.[15]

Acqui and Alessandria were united until 1405, until the diocese of Alessandria was re-erected. Pope Innocent VII (Roman Obedience) appointed Fra Bertolino of Alessandria as the new bishop on 14 April 1405.[16]

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.[17]

A set of canons ('capitula') was issued jointly by Archbishop Ottone Visconti (1262–1295) of Milan and Bishop Alberto (1258–c. 1270) of Acqui in 1265, perhaps in connection with a provincial or diocesan synod, or both.[18] Bishop Oddonus (1305–c. 1340) held a diocesan synod which concluded on 10 April 1308, and issued, with the consent of the Cathedral Chapter, a set of canons which were concerned mostly with clerical conduct and the proper administration of the sacraments, as well as limitations on the participation of lay persons in the election or installation of clergy.[19]

Bishop Bonifacio de Sismondi (1427–1450) conducted three diocesan synods during his term: the first opened on 10 February 1429; the second in 1432, which dealt with financing the attendance of the bishop at the Council of Basel; and the third in 1440. He also began the construction of the episcopal palace, for which money had been left by his predecessor, Bishop Enrico.[20]

Pope Sixtus IV was committed to the idea of yet another crusade against the Turks. He launched his project in the spring of 1475 by demanding a 10% tax on the income of the clergy. On 13 April 1475 he wrote to Bishop Thomas de Regibus of Acqui, naming him papal Nuncio and Collector of Papal Revenues in the entire Marquisate of Monferrat, and granting him the powers necessary to make the collection from all church institutions (including Chapters, monasteries, Priories, and convents) and persons (from Patriarchs and Archbishops down to simple clerics), administrators, and officials, both exempt from normal episcopal jurisdiction and not exempt; lay persons were to contribute 3 ⅓%, and Jews 5%.[21]

In 1477 Bishop de Regibus held a diocesan synod in the Cathedral of Acqui, from the 3rd to the 19th of October.[22]

In 1480 Bishop Thomas de Regibus was compelled to appeal to the pope when three of the castles in his diocese which formed part of the episcopal income were seized by Antoniotto Malaspina, a layman of the diocese of Acqui. Pope Sixtus IV in response ordered the Archpriest of the neighboring diocese of Asti to investigate the matter.[23]

A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Ludovico Bruni (1499–1508), and a set of thirty-nine canons of entirely traditional content was published from the Cathedral of Acqui on 22 August 1499.[24]

Bishop Giuseppe Maria Sciandra (1871–1888) held a diocesan synod on 5–7 September 1876.[25]

Cathedral and Chapter

The original cathedral of the diocese of Acqui was at the church of S. Pietro. The new cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was begun by Bishop Primus (c. 989–1018) in the Lombard style, and became the cathedral of the diocese under Bishop Dudo (c. 1024–1033), who transferred the Canons from S. Pietro, and converted S. Pietro into a monastic foundation. A donation charter of 1042 mentions both the monastery of S. Pietro and the Chapter house of S. Maria.[26] Work on the cathedral was completed in 1167, and Bishop Guido (1034–1070) consecrated the entire edifice.[27] His hagiographical life, with perhaps some exaggeration, says that he built the Cathedral of S. Maria with his own funds, and had Bishop Petrus of Tortona and Albertus (Obertus) of Genoa consecrate the edifice on 11 (or 13) November 1167.[28]

The Cathedral of Acqui was served by a Chapter, composed of three dignities and (in 1675) nine Canons.[29] In 1744 there were twelve Canons.[30] By 1844 there were fifteen Canons. The dignities were: the Provost, the Archdeacon, and the Archpriest.[31]

In the 15th century there were evidently problems with the Chapter in maintaining a regular system of public worship in the Cathedral. An agreement was entered into in 1455 by the Canons with Bishop Thomas de Regibus, but the provisions had not been carried out. A new agreement to prevent this dereliction of duty was sworn to with Bishop Constantinus Marenchi on 11 October 1486, binding both those canons who were present and those who happened to be absent from the meeting.[32]

In 1495 Bishop Marenchi dedicated the new cathedral cloister and houses for the Canons and other clergy who served the Cathedral.[33]

Bishops of Acqui

to 1300
...
 ? Majorinus (Majorianus)[34]
[Deusdedit][35]
  • Ditarius (c. 488)[36]
...
  • Valentinus (c. 680)[37]
...
  • Odelbertus (c. 844)[38]
  • Raganus (c. 864)[39]
  • Bado (Bodone) (c. 875–after 891)[40]
  • ? Thedaldus (Sedaldus)[41]
[Dodo (Dodone)][42]
  • Restaldus (c. 936)[43]
  • Adalgisus (c. 945, c. 952)[44]
  • Gotofredus (c. 968)[45]
  • Benedictus (c. 978)[46]
  • Arnaldus (c. 978–989)[47]
  • Primus (c. 989–1018)[48]
  • Brunengus (c. 1022)[49]
  • Dudo (Dudone) (c. 1024–1033)[50]
  • Guido (1034–1070)[51]
  • Alberto (c. 1073–1079)[52]
...
  • Azzo (Azone) (c. 1098–c. 1122)[53]
  • Uberto (c. 1136–c. 1148)[54]
  • Enrico (c. 1149)[55]
  • Guglielmo (c. 1164)[56]
  • Galdino (c. 1167–c. 1176)[57]
  • Uberto (1177–1181)[58]
  • Ugo (1183–1213)[59]
  • Anselmo (1215–after 1226)[60]
  • Otto (Ottone) (by 1231–1238)[61]
  • Giacomo (1239)[62]
  • Guglielmo (1239–1251)[63]
  • Alberto de Incisa (1251)[64]
  • Enrico (1252–1258)[65]
  • Alberto Sivoleto(1258–c. 1270)[66]
  • Baudicius (c. 1271–c. 1277)[67]
Sede Vacante[68]
  • Olgerio (1283–1304) Bishop-Elect[69]

1300–1600
  • Oddonus (1305–c. 1340)[70]
  • Ottobono (c. 1340–1342)[71]
  • Guido de Ancisa (1342–1373)[72]
  • Jacobus (Jacobinus) (1373)[73]
  • Franciscus (1373–1380)[74]
  • Conradus Malaspina, O.Min. (1380–c.1382?) (Avignon Obedience)[75]
  • Enrico Scarampi (1383–1403) (Roman Obedience)[76]
    • Beroaldus (c. 1382) (Roman Obedience)[77]
    • Valentinus (c. 1388) (Roman Obedience)[78]
  • Bonifacio de Corgnato, O.Min. (1403–1408) (Roman Obedience)[79]
  • Percival de Sismondi (1408–1423) (Roman Obedience)[80]
  • Matteo Giselberti (1423–1427)[81]
  • Bonifacio de Sismondi (1427–1450)[82]
  • Thomas de Regibus (1450–1483)[83]
  • Constantinus Marenchi (1484–1498)[84]
  • Ludovico (Enrico) Bruni (1499–1508)[85]
  • Dominicus Schelinus de Filonariis (1508–1533?)[86]
[Cardinal Giovanni Vincenzo Carafa (1533?–1534)][87]

1600–1800

since 1800
Sede vacante (1809–1817)[102]
  • Carlo Giuseppe Maria Sappa de Milanes (1817–1834)[103]
  • Modesto (Luigi Eugenio) Contratto, O.F.M. Cap. (1836–1867)[104]
Sede Vacante (1867–1871)
  • Giuseppe Maria Sciandra (1871–1888)[105]
  • Giuseppe Marello, O.S.I. (1889–1895)[106]
  • Pietro Balestra, O.F.M. Conv. (1895–1900)[107]
  • Disma Marchese (1901–1925 Died)
  • Lorenzo Del Ponte (1926–1942 Died)
  • Giuseppe Dell'Omo (1943–1976 Retired)
  • Giuseppe Moizo (1976–1979 Died)
  • Livio Maritano (1979–2000 Retired)
  • Pier Giorgio Micchiardi (2000–2018 Retired)
  • Luigi Testore (2018–present)

Parishes

The diocese, which covers an area of 1,683 km², is divided into 115 parishes.[108] The majority are in the Piedmont region (provinces of Alessandria and Asti), the rest are in Liguria (provinces of Genoa and Savona). A list of parishes by province and commune follows[109]

Notes and references
  1. Kehr, p. 191.
  2. "Diocese of Acqui" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  3. "Diocese of Acqui" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  4. Savio, p. 21.
  5. T. Gaino (1975), Il Vescovo Maggiorino nell’antica Chiesa di Acqui, Alessandria: Il Piccolo, 1975.
  6. Augustine of Hippo (De Haereses, I, 69) speaks of two bishops of this name; two others appear as signers of the Letter of the Synod of Carthage (411) to Pope Innocent I against Pelagius (Ep. St. Aug., II, 90). Savio, pp. 16-20. Lanzoni, p. 828.
  7. The County of Aquesana was erected by the Emperor Sigismund on 26 March 1414, in favor of Giacomo, son of Marchese Teodoro of Monferrat. Moriondo, II, p. 83.
  8. Giovanni Francesco Ricci (1855). Breve saggio della vita di san Guido patrizio, conte, vescovo e patrono della città e diocesi d'Acqui (in Italian). Acqui: Tip. Pola. p. 10.
  9. Lorenzo Calceato; Giovanni Castelli (2001). Il santo vescovo Guido d'Acqui, 1034-1070 nella "Vita" del primo biografo (in Italian). Genoa: Università degli studi di Genova - sede di Acqui Terme. Ernesto Buonaiuti, in: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Acqui" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  10. Porter, p. 18.
  11. Moriondo, II, pp. 11-15; p. 27 no. 23.
  12. Guillelmini Schiavinae Annales Alexandrini (in Latin). Vol. I. Torino: Officina Regia. 1857. pp. 176–177.
  13. Guillelmini Schiavinae Annales Alexandrini, pp. 181-187.
  14. Savio, p. 42. Moriondo, II, 15-26.
  15. Savio, p. 43.
  16. Moriondo, II, p. 81, no. 33.
  17. Benedictus XIV (1842). "Lib. I. caput secundum. De Synodi Dioecesanae utilitate". Benedicti XIV ... De Synodo dioecesana libri tredecim (in Latin). Vol. Tomus primus. Mechlin: Hanicq. pp. 42–49. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (March 19, 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727.
  18. Moriondo, I, p. 680-681.
  19. Moriondo, II, pp. 52-70.
  20. Iozzi, pp. 232-235.
  21. Moriondo, p. 416-417, no. 386. Iozzi, pp. 236-237.
  22. Moriondo, p. 418, no. 388. Iozzi, pp. 238-239.
  23. Moriondo, p. 419, no. 389.
  24. Moriondo, II, pp. 123-132.
  25. Iozzi, p. 351.
  26. Moriondo, I, p. 30 no. 18: monasterio Sancti Pauli quod est aedificato iuxta civitatem Aquensem et canonica Sanctae Mariae quae est constructa intra civitatem. Porter, II, p. 15.
  27. Savio, p. 11. Porter, II, pp. 15, 27.
  28. Moriondo, II, p. 70. Porter, p. 16. The dedicatory inscription, quoted by Porter at p. 15 note 10, guarantees the year 1067.
  29. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 93, note 1.
  30. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 93, note 1.
  31. Cappelletti, p. 156.
  32. Moriondo, pp. 421-422, no. 391. Iozzi, pp. 236-237.
  33. Porter, pp. 19-20.
  34. Majorinus is said to have reigned for 34 years and 8 months. There were three bishops named Majorinus in the 4th and 5th century. His body was transported to the cathedral in the 11th century. Savio, pp. 16-20. Lanzoni, p. 898.
  35. Deusdedit is one of four bishops (Maximus, Severus, Andreas, Deusdedit) arbitrarily inserted into the list of bishops of Acqui by Ughelli, p. 327. They are rejected by: Gams, p. 808, column 1. Savio, pp. 20-21. Lanzoni, p. 898.
  36. According to a sepulchral inscription, Ditarius died on 25 January 488. Savio, p. 21. Lanzoni, p. 898-899, is the first name given a number. He considers Distaldus (or Bistaldus) in the episcopal list (Ughelli, p. 327; Gams, p. 808) to be a false reading for Ditarius.
  37. Bishop Valentinus was present at a Roman synod of Pope Agapitus in 680. Savio, pp. 21-22.
  38. Odelbertus was present at the coronation of Emperor Louis II in Rome on 15 June 844. Savio, p. 23.
  39. Bishop Raganus was present at a provincial council held in Milan by Archbishop Tadone in October 864. Savio, p. 23.
  40. Bado was present at the coronation of Emperor Charles the Bald at Pavia on 29 December 875. He signed a charter on 14 May 891. Gams, p. 808, column 1. Savio, p. 23.
  41. Gams, p. 808, column 1. Savio, p. 23, not actually attested, except for a date of death on 25 December.
  42. The name is accepted by Savio, but Lanzoni denounces the name as a mere duplication of Bado or Bodone.
  43. A grant was made to Bishop Restaldus on 25 May 936 by the cleric Walpertus: Moriondo, I, p. 6, no. 4. Iozzi, p. 63.
  44. Adalgesius: Iozzi, p. 65. Savio, p. 25.
  45. A certain Walfred assigned all that he possessed in Acqui to Bishop Gotofredus in August 968. Gotofredus of Acqui was not the same person as Gotofredus, who had been a subdeacon before being elected Archbishop of Milan in July or August 974. Moriondo, I, p. 7, no. 5. Iozzi, p. 66. Savio, pp. 25-26.
  46. On 17 April 978, the Emperor Otto II granted a charter to Bishop Benedictus, confirming all the privileges of the diocese of Acqui. Moriondo, I, p. 7, no. 6. Iozzi, pp. 66-67. Savio, p. 26.
  47. Arnaldus governed the church of Acqui for eleven years, and died on 24 June. Iozzi, pp. 67-68. Savio, pp. 26-27.
  48. The Emperor Otto II confirmed the privileges of the church of Acqui to Bishop Primus on 20 April 996. In 1013 the Emperor Henry II confirmed the privileges again for Bishop Primus. Moriondo, I, pp. 14 no. 8; 21 no. 12. Iozzi, pp. 68-71. Savio, pp. 27-28.
  49. Brunengus: Iozzi, pp. 73-74. Savio, p. 28.
  50. Dudo: Savio, pp. 28-30.
  51. The Emperor Henry II granted Bishop Guido the same privileges as had been enjoyed by his predecessors in a charter of 30 December 1039. Guido died on 2 June 1070. Moriondo, I, p. 26 no. 16. Savio, pp. 30-33.
  52. Alberto: On 13 October 1073, Pope Gregory VII wrote to bishop-elect Alberto, chiding him for being present at the consecration of the excommunicated Gotefredus as Archbishop of Milan. On 25 January 1074 Pope Gregory summoned Albertus and all the other suffragan bishops of the Province of Milan to a synod to be held in Rome in Lent. Savio, p. 34. Kehr, p. 191, nos. 1-2.
  53. Azzone: Savio, pp. 34-35.
  54. Iozzi, pp. 114-115. Savio, 36-38.
  55. In August 1149, Bishop Enrico pronounced a sentence. Moriondo, I, p. 476 no. 25. Savio, p. 38.
  56. On 8 February 1164 Bishop Guglielmo transferred the church of S. Maria de Gamondio to the Abbot of Frutuaria. Moriondo, I, p. 65. Savio, pp. 39-40.
  57. Galdinus: Moriondo, I, pp. 69, no. 54; 70, no. 56. Iozzi, pp. 118-120. Savio, p. 40.
  58. Uberto had been Archdeacon of the Cathedral Chapter from at least 1156. He was excommunicated for a time because he had been intruded into the bishopric of Acqui by Frederick Barbarossa, and because of his adherence to the antipope Victor IV. In 1179, however, he took part in the Third Lateran Council of Pope Alexander III. On 1 August 1181, Bishop Uberto confirmed a donation to the convent of S. Thomas of Genoa. Moriondo, I, p. 80, no. 63. Iozzi, pp. 120-130. Savio, pp. 40-41.
  59. Ugo: Savio, pp. 41-43.
  60. Anselmo was already Bishop-elect on 5 August 1215, and was still serving on 3 November 1226. Moriondo, I, p. 165 no 148. Savio, p. 43. Eubel, I, p. 97.
  61. Ottone was already in office on 2 August 1231. His resignation was accepted by Pope Gregory IX on 23 December 1238, Savio, pp. 43-44. Eubel, I, p. 97, with note 2.
  62. Pope Gregory IX accepted Bishop Giacomo's resignation on 2 January 1240. Savio, p. 44.
  63. Guglielmo, Abbot of S. Quintino di Spigno, was named Administrator of the diocese of Acqui on 4 December 1239, though he appears as bishop-elect in documents of 1241, 1243, 1245 and 1248. He was still Bishop-elect on 28 August 1249. Moriondo, I, p. 721-722. Iozzi, pp. 146, 156. Savio, p. 44.
  64. On 27 August 1251, Alberto is called Bishop-elect in a document: Moriondo, I, p. 722; and in Moriondo, p. 271 no. 265, he is referred to simply as Albertus episcopus Aquensis. He resigned at the end of 1251, and on 27 November 1251 Pope Innocent IV, in writing to the Chapter of Acqui, calls Albertus de Inciso his Chaplain and Procurator. Albert's work at the papal court, which he seems to have preferred to the bishopric of Acqui, brought him in 1252 a Canonry and Prebend in the Cathedral Chapter of Therouanne, and the Archdeaconship of Flanders, both papal benefices. Savio, p. 44. Augustus Potthast, Regesta Pontificum Romanorum II (Berlin 1875), p. 1191, no. 14421.
  65. Enrico was appointed by Pope Innocent IV on 29 April 1252. He was still in office on 24 May 1258, when he wrote his Last Will and Testament. Savio, p. 45. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  66. On 29 November 1258 and on 9 March 1259, Alberto is called Bishop-elect. On 3 February 1261 he approved the probate of the Testament of his predecessor Bishop Enrico. On 9 December 1270 he rented out the mill of Bistagno. Moriondo, I, p. 238, no. 226; p. 722. Savio, pp. 45-46.
  67. Baudicius was still Bishop-elect on 7 August 1276. Moriondo, I, p. 245, no. 236. Savio, p. 46. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  68. Perhaps from the end of 1277, but certainly by 18 November 1280, Enrico di Locedio was serving as Capitular Vicar of the diocese of Acqui in the absence of a bishop. He was still carrying out that office on 11 February 1283. Savio, p. 46.
  69. There was apparently a schism, between an elected candidate (Ruzio) and a papal appointee (Olgerius), perhaps as early as 1276. Olgerio was still called Bishop-elect on 18 August 1287; in September he was present at a provincial synod in Milan. On 8 June 1296, the Chapter of Acqui, which certainly did not recognize Olgerio, elected a procurator to appear before the Bishops of Savona, Alba, and Tortona, to beg them not to consecrate Olgerius because of his crimina et defectus. On 7 November 1304 he is still styled Bishop-elect. Moriondo, I, p. 267, no. 257. Iozzi, pp. 174-179. Savio, pp. 46-48.
  70. Oddonus (not Odo or Oddo), according to his publication of the synodal canons of 1308: Cappelletti, p. 149. Iozzi, pp. 189-191. Eubel, I, p. 98 note 6.
  71. Ottobono del Carretto was a member of the family of the Marchese d'Incisa, and was a Canon of the Cathedral of Liège. Cappelletti, p. 149. Iozzi, pp. 191-194. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  72. Guido, of the family of the Marchese d'Incisa, had been Dean of the Cathedral of Geneva. He was appointed by Pope Clement VI on 18 July 1342. On 1 February 1364, the Emperor Charles IV granted him all the rights and privileges which had belonged to his predecessors. On 18 March 1369 he took part in the consecration in Nice of Bishop Melchiorre of Osnabruck. In 1370 he imposed an interdict on Bergamasco, Carentino, Castelnuovo and Incisa for sacrilegious thefts from churches. On 25 March 1373 the Chapter of Acqui announced the appointment of a Vicar Capitular following the death of Bishop Guido: Moriondo, I, p. 365. Cappelletti, pp. 150-152. Iozzi, pp. 196-208. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  73. Jacobinus was appointed bishop of Acqui on 11 May 1373 by Pope Gregory XI. He died in the same year. There was a Vicar Capitular in charge of the diocese on 17 December 1373: Moriondo, I, p. 365 no. 349. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  74. Franciscus was appointed by Pope Gregory XI on 21 November 1373. He died in 1380, a partisan of Pope Clement VII; his successor was appointed on 10 September 1380. Iozzi, pp. 209-210, seriously misunderstands the meaning of the inscription that he cites. Cappelletti, p. 152. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  75. Malaspina was appointed by Clement VII (Avignon Obedience) on 10 September 1380. Gams, p. 808. Iozzi, pp. 211-212. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  76. Scarampi was already Bishop of Acqui on 29 July 1383: Moriondo, I, p. 374, no. 355. He was appointed by Boniface IX (Roman Obedience) in February 1396, apparently a confirmation of his position after a change of Obedience. He was transferred to the diocese of Feltre (Belluno) on 9 April 1404. Gams, p. 808. 213-216. Eubel, I, p. 98, 133.
  77. Beroaldus: Gams, p. 808. Iozzi, pp. 212-213 (who claims Beroaldus for the Avignon Obedience, and states that he was bishop for only one year). Eubel, I, p. 98.
  78. Valentinus: Gams, p. 808. Eubel, I, p. 98. He is not mentioned by Iozzi.
  79. Bonifacio de Zerbis de Corgnato was appointed by Boniface IX (Roman Obedience) on 5 March 1403, immediately succeeding Enrico Scarampi. Iozzi, pp. 221-224. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  80. Sigismundus Percivallius had been a Canon of Acqui and Vicar General of Bishop Bonifacio de Corgnato. On 13 July 1408, Sismondi obligated himself to the Apostolic Camera for himself and his two predecessors Bonifacio de Corgnato and Enrico Scarampi. He took part in the Council of Constance between 1415 and 1417. He died c. 1423. Iozzi, pp. 225-226. Eubel, I, p. 98 note 10.
  81. Matteo Giselberti had previously been Bishop of Vercelli, appointed in 1412 by Pope Innocent VII of the Roman Obedience. When John XXIII came to power, he was deposed in 1412, and replaced by Imberto Fieschi of Genoa. He was appointed Bishop of Acqui by Pope Martin V on 24 September 1423. Iozzi, pp. 226-227. Eubel, I, p. 98, p. 521. Gams, p. 808, and Ughelli, p. 330, have Bishop Matteo succeeded by a Bishop Bernardus, but Bishop Bernardus was Bishop of Dax, not Acqui. Eubel, II, p. 91, note 1.
  82. Sismondi was appointed by Pope Martin V on 8 August 1427. On 17 April 1440 Bishop Bonifacio was present in Casale at the marriage of Jean de Lusignan, King of Cyprus, and Amadea of Monferrato. On 30 April 1445 Pope Eugene IV appointed Bishop Bonifacio judge in a dispute between the Bishop of Alessandria and his Cathedral Chapter. Iozzi, pp. 231-235. Eubel, I, p. 98.
  83. Thomas de Regibus was appointed Bishop of Acqui by Pope Sixtus IV. He was elected by the Chapter of Acqui on 31 October 1450; the electoral meeting of eleven of the Canons took place at the church of St. Mary de Vixono, since the plague was raging in Acqui itself. He died on 21 January 1483. Moriondo, pp. 403-404. nos. 374 and 375. Iozzi, pp. 235-242. Eubel, II, p. 91.
  84. Marenchi, a native of Acqui, had been secretary of Cardinal Teodoro de Monferrato (1467–1484), who had also been Abbot Commendatory of the Cistercian monastery of Tilietto in the diocese of Acqui. He was named Bishop of Acqui by Pope Sixtus IV, and granted a series of dispensations because he was a layman when appointed. His relative, Jacobus Marenchus, served as his Vicar-General. Ughelli, p. 330. Moriondo, p. 415. Iozzi, pp. 242-245. Eubel, II, p. 91, misspells the bishop's name, which is clear in documents and an inscription which records that Bishop Marenchi built houses for the cathedral Canons.
  85. Bruni (he is called Ludovico by Ughelli and Eubel) was a native of Acqui and a councilor and secretary of Maximilian,the King of the Romans. He was approved in the consistory of 9 January 1499 by Pope Alexander VI. He died in Rome in 1508. Ughelli, p. 330. Eubel, II, p. 91; III, p. 113.
  86. Bishop Schelinus was the ambassador (Orator) of the Marquis de Montferrat. He was present at the Fifth Lateran Council under Pope Julius II. On 10 September 1529, Bishop Domenicus confirmed an agreement between the Chapter of Acqui and Thomas de Regibus (Moriondo, pp. 425-426, no. 396). He wrote his Last Will and Testament on 7 (or 17 or 27) July 1532, according to the text published by Moriondo, pp. 449-450, no. 398. Ughelli, p. 330. Iozzi, pp. 253-255.
  87. Cardinal Carafa was Archbishop of Naples. He was appointed Bishop of Acqui by Pope Clement VII on 31 August 1528 (?), and resigned the diocese of Acqui on 20 February 1534. Eubel, III, p. 113. Eubel's date of 1528, which he cites from a Vatican ms. index of the Schedae Garampi, is not in agreement with the documentary evidence that Bishop Schelinus was still in office in 1533.
  88. The bishop's name is usually spelled Van der Vorst. A native of Brabant, he was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law). He was a chaplain of Pope Alexander VI. In 1526 he became an Auditor of the Rota in the Roman Curia. He was named Bishop of Acqui in the Consistory of 20 February 1534. He was sent to Germany as Nuntius of Pope Paul III, to announce the holding of the Council of Trent. Ludwig Pastor, History of the Popes (tr. R.F. Kerr) Volume XI (London: Kegan Paul Trench Trubner 1912), pp. 80-83, 89-92. Angelo Mercati; Bruno Katterbach (1931). Sussidi per la consultazione dell'archivio vaticano, a cura della direzione e degli archivisti. Vol. 2. Graz: Akademischen Druck- u. Verlags-anstalt. p. 94. Eubel, III, p. 113, with note 4.
  89. Fauni-Pio: Eubel, III, p. 113.
  90. Costacciaro: Eubel, III, p. 113.
  91. Aldobrandini: Eubel, III, p. 113.
  92. Beccio was born at Casale Monferrato, and rose to become General of the Canons of the Lateran. In Rome he became a close friend of Cardinal Cesare Baronio, author of the Annales ecclesiastici. He was appointed by Pope Clement VIII on 25 November 1598, and was consecrated by Cardinal Gian Francesco Biandrate, a fellow native son of Casale Monferrato, on 10 January 1599. He died on 16 November 1620. Gams, p. 809 column 1. Iozzi, pp. 278-282. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 89.
  93. Pedrocca was a native of Mantua. He had served as Definitor General of his Order. He was named Bishop of Acqui in the Consistory of 16 November 1620 by Pope Paul V. He died on 24 January 1632 (1631 old style), the victim of an epidemic disease. Iozzi, pp. 284-286. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 89.
  94. A member of a noble family of Acqui, Bicuti was a Doctor in utroque iure. The Canons of the Cathedral Chapter were not favorable to his election, but he was patronized by the Duchess Maria, who nominated him, and he was preconised (approved) on 27 May 1647 by Pope Innocent X. He was responsible for the cupola of the Cathedral. He died on 10 March 1675. Bima, p. 82. Iozzi, pp. 291-295. Gauchat, IV, p. 89 with note 5.
  95. A native of Casale, Gozzani held the degrees of Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) and master of theology from the Sapienza in Rome. He obtained the office of Protonotary Apostolic, and was the Archdeacon of Acqui. He was appointed bishop of Acqui in the consistory of 30 September 1675 by Pope Clement X, and was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Carlo Pio on 6 October 1675. He died on 11 December 1721. Ughelli, p. 331. Cappelletti, p. 154. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 93 with note 3.
  96. Rotario was born in Pralormo (diocese of Aqui), and was a Doctor in utroque iure (Pisa), and was a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Turin. He was named a Consultor of the Holy Office of the Roman and Universal Inquisition in 1716. He was appointed bishop in the Consistory of 1 October 1727 by Pope Benedict XIII, and consecrated by the Pope on 12 October 1727. He was appointed Archbishop of Turin on 3 February 1744. He died in Turin on 9 October 1766. Cappelletti, p. 154. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 93 with note 4; VI, p. 395 with note 2.
  97. Born in Dogliano (Saluzzo), Corte was a member of the family of the Counts of Bonvicino, and held the degree of doctor of theology (Turin). He was Canon of the Basilica of Soperga (near Turin) as well as Canon and Prebend of the Cathedral Chapter of Turin. He was approved as bishop of Acqui on 13 September 1773 by Pope Clement XIV, and was consecrated in Rome on 19 September by Cardinal Francesco Zelada. He was transferred to the diocese of Mondovi on 18 July 1783 by Pope Pius VI. Iozzi, pp. 316-320. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, pp. 92; 296 with note 4.
  98. Buronzo was born in Vercelli, and held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) from the University of Turin (1751). He had been Canon, Prebend, and Archdeacon of the Cathedral Chapter of Vercelli, and served as Vicar General. He was approved as Bishop of Acqui in Consistory by Pope Pius VI on 20 September 1784, and was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Hyacinthe Gerdil on 2 October 1784. He was transferred to the diocese of Novara on 26 September 1791, and then to the Archdiocese of Turin on 24 July 1797, where he had been Administrator since 10 March. c 321-322. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, pp. 93 with note 5; 315 with note 6.
  99. A native of Saluzzo, Della Torre was a member of the family of the Counts of Lucerna e Valle. He taught theology and was master of novices for houses of his Order; he became a Prior and Commissary General. He served as synodal examiner of priests for the diocese of Turin. He had been Archbishop of Sassari on the island of Sardinia on the presentation of the King of Sardinia (1790–1797). He was transferred to the diocese of Acqui by Pope Pius VI on 24 January 1797. He was transferred to the archdiocese of Turin on 26 June 1805. He died on 8 April 1814. Iozzi, pp. 322-325. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, pp. 93 with note 6; 315 with note 7; 423 with note 8. Michael Broers (2004). Politics and Religion in Napoleonic Italy: The War Against God, 1801-1814. Routledge. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-134-50018-5. portrays Della Torre as weak, and a facilitator of, if not collaborator in the French plans for Italy.
  100. De Broglie was confirmed as Bishop of Ghent by Pope Pius VII on 3 August 1807. He died on 20 July 1821. Notizie per l'anno 1808 (in Italian). Roma: Nella Stamparia del Chracas. 1808. p. 144. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, pp. 83, 202.
  101. Bishop de Casanova died on 29 December 1809. Ritzler-Sefrin, VII, p. 84.
  102. Pope Pius VII was a prisoner of Napoleon Bonaparte at Fontainebleau, and Piedmont was in the hands of Bonaparte as 'King of Italy'. The Pope was unable to act until after his liberation, and the restoration of the Papal States by the Congress of Vienna, as well as the restoration of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
  103. Sappa died on 24 December 1834. Bima, pp. 87-88. Ritzler-Sefrin, VII, p. 84.
  104. Contratto died on 6 December 1867. Bima, p. 88. Ritzler-Sefrin, VII, p. 84.
  105. Sciandra was appointed on 27 October 1871 by Pope Pius IX. He died on 25 May 1888. Ritzler-Sefrin, VIII, p. 114.
  106. Marello was appointed Bishop of Acqui by Pope Leo XIII on 11 February 1889. He died on 30 May 1895. Ritzler-Sefrin, VIII, p. 114. Angelo Rainero, Profilo di Mons. Giuseppe Morello, Vescovo d'Acqui, fondatore degli Oblati di S. Giuseppe, Asti: Scuola tip. S. Giuseppe, 1937.
  107. Bishop Balestra was appointed Archbishop of Cagliari in the secret Consistory of 17 December 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. Annuaire pontifical catholique 1900, p. 649 column 2 (in French).
  108. "Diocesi di Acqui". Chiesa Cattolica Italiana.
  109. "Parrocchie". Chiesa Cattolica Italiana.

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Acknowledgment
 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Acqui". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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