The Diocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello (
Latin: Dioecesis Pitilianensis-Soanensis-Urbetelliensis) is a
Latin Church diocese of the
Catholic Church in the
ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan
Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, in
Tuscany.[1][2] The diocese of Sovana had originally been directly dependent upon the Holy See, and its bishops attended the pope's synods. When
Pope Pius II, who was a Piccolomini of Siena, created the metropolitan archdiocese of Siena, he made Sovana one of its suffragan dioceses.[3] The bishops of Sovana usually resided in the former palace of the Orsini in Pitigliano, which was given to Bishop Francesco Pio Santi (1776–1789) by the Grand Duke of Tuscany.[4]
The bishop has his seat in the
Cattedrale di Ss. Pietro e Paolo, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, in
Pitigliano, a part of the province of
Grosseto; the municipality of
Sovana (Soana) in Toscana also has a
Co-Cathedral named in honour of Saint Peter.
Orbetello has the Concattedrale di S. Maria Assunta (S. Biagio), dedicated to the
Assumption and St. Biagio.
History
The two towns, Sovana and Pitigliano, are situated in the Province of Grosseto, Central Italy. The Diocese of Sovana, was in existence by 680, and was a
suffragan of the
Archdiocese of Siena. Sovana was an ancient Etruscan city, and preserved a certain importance till the end of the thirteenth century, having been the capital of the counts of Aldobrandeschi, lords of Southern Tuscany, from the days of
Charlemagne.
In 1401 the city fell into the power of the
Republic of Siena. In 1434, Count
Gentile Orsini having been killed at Sovana, the people of Pitigliano put the town to fire and sword, and brought about its destruction.[5]
On 22 April 1459,
Pope Pius II issued the bull "Triumphans Pastor", in which he raised the diocese of Siena to metropolitan status, and assigned to it as
suffragans the dioceses of Sovana, Chiusi, Massa, and Grosseto.[6]
On 11 January 1844,[8]Pope Gregory XVI created the diocese of Pitigliano, and assigned it aeque principaliter to the bishop of Sovana. The diocese was renamed as Diocese of Sovana–Pitigliano (Soanensis–Pitilianensis in Latin), and the former collegiate church of Saints Peter and Paul in
Pitigliano became the new cathedral.[9]
Modern changes
The
Second Vatican Council, in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses. It also recommended the abolition of anomalous units such as exempt territorial prelatures.[10] The
territorial Abbey of Saints Vincent and Anastasius in suburban Rome was one of them, having been suppressed in 1812, then handed over to the Friars Minor in 1825, though malaria drove them out; in 1867, the Cistercians took over the abbey with a contingent of Trappist friars. The widely dispersed properties which belonged to the abbey and the Catholics living on them had come to be neglected. After extensive consultation, therefore,
Pope John Paul II issued the apostolic constitution Abbatia SS. Vincentii on 25 March 1981, which reassigned various territories of the abbey to the dioceses in which they were situated. Properties in Tuscany at Orbetello, Monte Argentarii, Isola Igilii, and Capalbi, along with the parishes established in them, as well as oratories, chapels, cemeteries, and all other ecclesiastical goods, were assigned to the diocese of Sovana-Pitigliano. The diocese's name was changed to Diocese of Sovana–Pitigliano–Orbetello.[11]
On 30 September 1986, the diocese was renamed Diocese of Pitigliano–Sovana–Orbetello (Pitilianensis–Soanensis–Urbetelliensis in Latin), taking into account regulations that favoured the larger and more important city.[12]
Chapter and cathedral
The cathedral of Pitigliano began as a simple parish church, dedicated to S. Mark the Evangelist. In 1509, Pope Julius II raised the parish church to the dignity of a collegiate church, dedicated to Ss. Peter and Paul.[13] It was administered by a Chapter, composed of an Archpriest and eight Canons.[14]
In 1669, the Chapter of the cathedral of S. Pietro in Sovana had one dignity and three Canons.[15] Ughelli (1725) notes that there were two dignities (the Provost and the Dean) and three Canons. There were two parishes in the city of some 400 persons, one of which was the cathedral, whose Provost had the care of the souls of the parishioners.[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]
The first synod held in the diocese of Sovana following the decrees of the
Council of Trent on the regular holding of synods took place on 2 May 1601, under the direction of Bishop Metello Bichi (1596–1606).[18]
Bishop Ottavio Saraceni (1606–1623) held a synod in Sovana on 1 June 1620.[19] In 1626, Bishop Scipione Tancredi (1624–1637) presided over a diocesan synod.[20] On 9 May 1630, he presided over his fifth diocesan synod.[21] Bishop Enea di Cesare Spennazzi (1638–1644) held a diocesan synod in Sovana in 1639.[22] On 15 October 1682, Bishop Pier Maria Bichi, O.S.B. (1673–1684) convened a diocesan synod in Pitigliano.[23] A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Domenico Maria della Ciaja, O.P. (1688–1713) on 9 May 1690 in Sovana; on 20 April 1693 in Scansano; on 15 May 1696 in Pitigliano; on 22 May 1703 in Pitigliano; and on 3–4 May 1706 in Pitigliano;[24] he held his sixth synod in Pitigliano on 13 May 1709.[25]
Bishop Cristoforo Palmieri (1728–1739) held a diocesan synod in Soana on 16–17 June 1732.[26] Bishop Tiberio Borghesi (1762–1772) presided over a diocesan synod in 1768.[27]
On 23–24 September 1936, Bishop Stanislao Battistelli (1932–1952) presided over a diocesan synod in Pitigliano, in the episcopal palace. He celebrated another synod in July 1946, which constituted the occasion on which
Pope Pius XII declared
Pope Gregory VII the co-patron of the diocese.[28]
^Bullarum diplomatum et privilegiorum sanctorum romanorum pontificum (in Latin). Vol. Tomus V. Turin: Seb. Franco, H. Fori et H. Dalmazzo. 1860. pp. 150–152 §3.: "Necnon filias nostras praedictas Suanensem, Clusinensem et Grossetanensem et Massanensem Ecclesias, cum suis civitatibus et dioecesibus, iuribus el pertinentiis universis, Ecclesiae Seuensi et arcbiepiscopis praefatis, tamquam illorum metropolitanis et de eorum provincia...."
^Cappelletti XVII, p. 752. Bruscalupi, Monografia storica della contea di Pitigliano, p. 420.
^In its
decree Christus Dominus, section 22, it stated: "Concerning diocesan boundaries, therefore, this sacred synod decrees that, to the extent required by the good of souls, a fitting revision of diocesan boundaries be undertaken prudently and as soon as possible. This can be done by dividing dismembering or uniting them, or by changing their boundaries, or by determining a better place for the episcopal see or, finally, especially in the case of dioceses having larger cities, by providing them with a new internal organization.... At the same time the natural population units of people, together with the civil jurisdictions and social institutions that compose their organic structure, should be preserved as far as possible as units. For this reason, obviously, the territory of each diocese should be continuous."
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis vol. LXXIII (1981) pp. 474-476.
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis vol. LXXIX (Città del Vaticano 1987), pp. 451-452.
^Bruscalupi, Monographia storica della contea di Pitigliano, p. 17.
^Admonitiones ad clerum habitœ a Tiberio Burghesio, episcopo Suanensi, in synodo diœcesana, an. 1768. Siena, 1769.
Bibliothèque de l'Archevêché de Reims (in French). Reims: P. Dubois. 1864. p. 147.
^Bishop "Matianus" took part in the Roman synod of
Pope Agatho in 680. Ughelli, p. 587. J.-D. Mansi (ed.),
Tomus XI (Florence: A. Zatta 1765), p. 775. Cappelletti XVII, p. 737. Polock, p. 143.
^Bishop Bastianus subscribed at 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. 999. He is called Vestianus: Georg Heinrich Pertz, ed. (1837).
Constitutiones regum Germaniae (in Latin and German). Hannover: Hahn. p. 14.
^Bishop Tanimundus subscribed at the Roman synod of
Pope Leo IV in 853. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima,
Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta 1769), p. 1020.
^Bishop Rastaldus was present at the Lateran synod of
Pope Nicholas I in 861. J.-D. Mansi (ed.),
Tomus XV (Venice: A. Zatta 1770), p. 603. Cappelletti XVII, p. 737.
^Bishop Stephanus was present at the Roman synod of
Pope Hadrian II in Spring 869. J.-D. Mansi (ed.),
Tomus XVI (Venice: A. Zatta 1771), p. 131. Polock, p. 143.
^Bishop Rainerius founded a canonica (residence for Canons) in his diocese. Kehr III, p. 254 no. 1. Schwartz, p. 263.
^Joannes, son of Giso, was present at the Roman synod of
Pope John XIX and the Emperor Conrad II on 6 April 1027. He was also present at the Roman synod of
Pope Nicholas II in 1059. Ludwig Weiland; Jakob Schwalm; Richard Salomon (1893).
Constitutiones et acta publica imperatorum et regum: 911-1197. Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Constitutiones, I. (in Latin and German). Hannover: Hahn. p. 83.
ISBN9783447100427. Schwartz, p. 263.
^Bishop Anselmus is mentioned in a bull of
Pope Nicholas II of 27 April 1061, confirming the privileges of the cathedral Chapter of Sovana. Kehr III, p. 254, no. 1.
^Ughelli makes the statement that David was consecrated by
Pope Gregory VII in 1083. There is no evidence for such a claim. David is italicized as dubious by Schwartz, p. 263, and questioned by Polock, p. 145.
^Eugerius is referred to in 1194 by a witness in the lawsuit between Orvieto and Sovana, one Franco, an oblate of the church of Sovana: "Interrogatus quorum episcoporum temporibus predicti clerici venerunt ad sinodum S(uanensem), respondit quod temporibus Eugerii, Ildiz(onis), Bernardi S(uanensium) episcoporum." Polock, p. 112, 145.
^Bishop Ildito attended the Roman synod of
Pope Honorius II on 21 July 1126. Schwartz, p. 263. Polock, p. 146, conjectures that he died c.1151; his death was followed by an episcopal vacancy of two years.
^Paulinus was bishop for eighteen years. Polock, pp. 148-149.
^Bernardus is referred to in 1194 by a witness in the lawsuit between Orvieto and Sovana, one Franco, an oblate of the church of Sovana: "Interrogatus quorum episcoporum temporibus predicti clerici venerunt ad sinodum S(uanensem), respondit quod temporibus Eugerii, Ildiz(onis), Bernardi S(uanensium) episcoporum." Bernardus belongs after Ildito (Ildizo), assuming that the names given by Franco are in chronological order. Polock, p. 112, 145.
^Polock, p. 149. Polock offers the dates 1193–1198/1206, though admitting that the letter of
Pope Innocent III of 1298 does not name the Bishop of Sovana.
^Vivianus was one of eight bishops who assisted Bishop Raynerius of Toscanella in the consecration of the church of S. Maria Maggiore. Cappelletti XVII, pp. 740-741. Eubel I, p. 466. Polock, pp. 58-59.
^Bishop Galgrinus was appointed by
Pope Honorius III in 1221. He invited the Franciscans to settle in his diocese, and built them a convent; he consecrated their church on the second Sunday of September 1227. He is mentioned as being dead in a document of 1260, perhaps long dead. 1260 was not the year of his death. Cappelletti, p. 741. Eubel I, p. 466
^Bishop David was elected by the cathedral Chapter in 1270, but, since there was no pope because of the longest papal sede vacante in history, he could not have his bulls until after
Pope Gregory X was consecrated a bishop and crowned on 27 March 1272. Cappelletti, p. 744.
^On the death of Bishop David, the cathedral Chapter met and elected several bishops, each one refusing the honor. The matter was brought to
Pope Martin IV at Orvieto, and on 23 December 1283, he appointed ("provided") Moricus, who was a Canon of Assisi and chaplain of the bishop of Albanese (Epirus). Felix Olivier-Martin (1901).
Les registres de Martin IV (1281-1285): recueil des bulles de ce pape (in French and Latin). Paris: A. Fontemoing. p. 170. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Lando was appointed in 1294, according to Gams, p. 757 column 1. He was transferred to the diocese of
Nola by
Pope Boniface VIII on 22 April 1298. He died in 1304. Eubel I, pp. 370, 466.
^Monaldeschi was transferred by
Pope Boniface VIII to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of
Benevento (Italy) (1302.12 – death 1331).
^After the death of Bishop Zampo, the Chapter, using the "Way of Compromise", chose the Dominican Trasmundus. After an examination of the election and the character of the electus,
Pope Clement V approved the new bishop on 10 May 1312. In 1327 he was involved in a lawsuit against the Abbot of S. Salvatore de Monte Amiata. He died in office, and was succeeded by Alamanno Donati on 22 October 1330. Ughelli III, p. 747.
Regestum Clementis papae V (in Latin). Vol. VII: Annus septimus. Rome: ex Typographia Vaticana. 1887. pp. 98–88, no. 8019. Eubel I, p. 466.
^A native of Florence, Fra Alamannus was appointed by
Pope John XXII on 22 October 1330. He was transferred to the diocese of
Modena on 18 July 1342 by
Pope Clement VI. He died on 4 June 1352. Ughelli, p. 747. Eubel I, p. 466 with note 6.
^Nicolaus was a Sicilian from Messana. His brother was Abbot of S. Anastasio at Tre Fontane. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 19 July 1342 by Pope Clement VI. He is said to have died in 1362 (Eubel gives 1360, a typo?). Ughelli, pp. 747-748. Cappelletti, p. 744. Bruscalupi, p. 501. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Paolo had previously been Bishop of
Retimo (Crete) (1357–1360). He was named Bishop of Sovana on 20 May 1360 (or 1362) by
Pope Innocent VI. He died on 8 December 1367. Ughelli, p. 750. Cappelletti, p. 744. Eubel I, pp. 156, 466.
^Nicolaus of Nola was confirmed by
Pope Urban V on 17 July 1368. He died later in the year. Ughelli and Cappelletti record that he was elected in 1367, and that he died in the next year. Eubel I, p. 466. Ughelli believed that Niccolò da Nola was an appointee of
Benedict XIII of the Avignon Obedience.
^A Canon of the cathedral of Nola, Roberto was confirmed by Pope Urban V on 25 June 1369. Eubel I, p. 466.
^A native of Siena, Blandibelli had the doors of the cathedral made. Ughelli, p. 752. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Antonio was appointed by
Pope Urban VI on 19 March 1386. He paid for his own bulls, and those of his two predecessors. He died in 1390. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Tommaso was appointed by
Pope Boniface IX of the Roman Obedience on 29 November 1390. He was transferred to the diocese of
San Marco in 1397. He apparently died in 1399. Cappelletti, p. 745. Eubel I, pp. 326, 466.
^A native of Viterbo, Vanni had been Canon of the cathedral of Viterbo. He held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 22 March 1397. Cappelletti, p. 745, notes that Valentino was present at the council of
Pope John XXIII on 6 January 1413, though without naming his source. Ughelli, p. 752. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Cappelletti, p. 745, suggests that Pietro, the Abbot of
S. Gregorio Magno (Ss. Andrea e Gregorio) was an intruder. Antonio del Fede was appointed by
Pope Gregory XII in 1414, but Gregory had been deposed by the
Council of Constance, and most of his appointments were ignored or quashed. He was named bishop on 5 June 1402, but neither Ughelli nor Eubel is able to give the name of a pope or a reference. Ughelli, pp. 752-753. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Del Fede, a doctor of theology, had been named Bishop of Calvi by
Antipope John XXIII, and took possession on 17 October 1414 (according to Ughelli); but he was unable to retain possession due to the deposition of John XXIII at the
Council of Constance. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Martin V on 12 August 1418. He died in Lucca on 5 January 1433. Ughelli III, p. 753 (who puts his death in 1434). Cappelletti, pp. 745-746 (who places his death on 5 January 1433, based on his memorial inscription in Florence). Eubel I, p. 466 (who puts his death in 1433); II, p. 243 (where he puts it in 1434).
^Joachim Zachariae (Suhare), who had been the priest of S. Giovanni in Pitigliano, was named Bishop of Sovana on 20 January 1434; his election was suspended by
Pope Eugenius IV until 1439 (according to Ughelli). He was transferred to the diocese of
Canne on 8 June 1439. He was named Bishop of
Cassano all’Jonio on 12 December 1440. He died in 1463. Ughelli, p. 753. Eubel II, pp. 117, 119, 243.
^A native of Siena, Apollonio was a Canon of Siena, was named Bishop of Sovana on 8 June 1439. He worked energetically with the government of Siena to liberate southern Tuscany from the domination of the Aldobrandeschi family. With his help, Siena delivered Orbetello from the feudal overlordship of the Abbots of S. Vincenzo alla Tre Fontane. During his episcopacy, in 1460, the remains of
Maximilianus,
Bishop of Palermo, were translated from the Island of
Giglio to Sovana. He died in September 1467. On his death, the government of Siena attempted to install his Vicar General, Giovanni Magliani, as the next bishop, but the pope would not consent. Ughelli, pp. 753-757. Cappelletti, pp. 746-747. Eubel II, p. 243.
^On 26 October 1470, he was transferred by Pope Paul to the dioceses of
Montalcino and
Pienza. Ughelli, p. 757. Cappelletti, p. 747. Eubel II, pp. 216, 243.
^A native of Siena, Ghinucci had held the post of apostolicarum litterarum scriptor in the Roman Curia. He was named Bishop of Sovana by Pope Paul II on 12 November 1470. He was transferred to the diocese of
Grosseto on 9 March 1489 by
Pope Innocent VIII. Ghinucci had apparently been seeking a transfer for some time; he had enlisted the support of Lorenzo de'Medici, who recommended him to the Pope; his letter of thanks is dated 10 February 1489. He died in 1497. A. Cappelli, "Una lettera del vescovo di Sovana Andreoccio Ghinucci a Lorenzo il Magnifico," in:
Bullettino senese di storia patria (in Italian). Vol. tredicesimo. Siena: Accademia senese degli Intronati. 1906. pp. 222–226. Eubel II, p. 161, 243.
^A native of Siena, Scotti was named Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Innocent VIII on 9 March 1489. He died in 1492. Ughelli, p. 758. Cappelletti, p. 747. Eubel II, p. 243.
^A native of Siena, Piccolomini had been Vicar General of the bishop of Fermo. He was named bishop on 8 October 1492 by
Pope Alexander VI. He died in Siena in 1510. Ughelli, p. 758 (giving a date of 1 October 1492). Cappelletti, p. 747. Eubel II, p. 243.
^Alfonso was the son of Pandolfo Petrucci, the Tyrant of Siena. He was created
Cardinal-Priest of
S. Teodoropro hac vice Title by
Pope Julius II on 17 March 1511. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 1 October 1510, and resigned the See on 27 July 1513 in favor of his relative, Lattanzio Petrucci. He was deprived of his benefices on 22 June 1517, condemned to death by
Pope Leo X) on 29 June, and executed on 16 July 1517. Cappelletti, p. 748. Eubel III, pp. 12, no. 26; 305.
^Lattanzio Petrucci was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 27 July 1513. Deposed in 1517, and accused of treason by
Pope Leo X, Lattanzio was forced to flee, but acquitted by
Pope Adrian VI and later reinstated as Bishop of Sovana on 11 December 1522. Ughelli, p. 759. Cappelletti, p. 748. Eubel III, p. 305.
^Collesta was named on 2 December 1517. Ughelli, p. 759. Cappelletti, p. 748. Eubel III, p. 305 (who spells the name Coletta).
^Cardinal Petrucci, created
Cardinal-Priest of
S. Susanna (1517–1522), was administrator of the diocese from 6 February 1520 until his death on 11 December 1522; he was serving as Bishop of
Grosseto (1497–1522).
^Lattanzio Petrucci was reinstated by Pope Adrian VI on 11 December 1522 after the death of Cardinal Raffaello. Lattanzio died in 1527. Eubel III, p. 305.
^Cardinal Gonzaga was administrator from 5 July 1529 to 17 April 1532, while Bishop of
Mantova (Mantua, Italy) (1521–1563). He had been created
Cardinal-Deacon of
S. Maria Nuova on 5 May 1527. He died on 6 July 1556.
^Cardinal Farnese was administrator for only nine days, 17–26 April 1532, while
Cardinal-Bishop of
Ostia–Velletri. He died as Pope Paul III in 1549.
^Ferdinandus Farnese was the nephew of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 26 April 1532 by
Pope Clement VII, though he was only 23 years old. He was therefore only Administrator of the diocese until the age of 26. On the election of his uncle to the papacy, he resigned. His successor was appointed on 26 February 1535. Ughelli, p. 760. Eubel III, p. 305 with note 9.
^Simoncelli was a cleric of Orvieto. He was below the minimum age for episcopal consecration when he was appointed bishop on 26 February 1535 by
Pope Paul III. His episcopate lasted until January 1596. Ughelli, p. 760. Eubel III, p. 305.
^Bichi was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 15 January 1596 by
Pope Clement VIII. He resigned on 12 June 1606. He was later created
Cardinal-Priest of
Ss. Bonifacio ed Alessio (1611–1619) by
Pope Paul V. On 17 December 1612, he was named Metropolitan Archbishop of
Siena. He resigned on 23 March 1615. He died in 1619. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 323 with note 2.
^Saraceni was a native of Siena. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Paul V on 12 June 1606. He died in 1623. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 3.
^A native of Siena, Tancredi held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 15 January 1624. He was transferred to the diocese of
Montalcino on 2 March 1637, by
Pope Urban VIII. He died on 13 April 1641. Ughelli III, p. 761. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 4.
^A native of Siena, Tolomei had been Primicerius in the cathedral Chapter of Siena. He was named Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Urban VIII on 16 March 1637. Ughelli III, p. 761-762 (who states wrongly that he died in September 1639). Cappelletti XVII, p. 749 (who states that he died in September 1638). Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 5.
^Spennazzi, who had been secretary of the Dukes of Parma, was named Bishop of Sovana on 20 December 1638 by
Pope Urban VIII. On 23 May 1644, Spennazzi was transferred to the diocese of
Ferentino. He died in 1658. Ughelli, p. 762. Bruscalupi, p. 504-505. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 6.
^A native of Montepulciano, Cervini, a grand-nephew of
Pope Marcellus II, was named Bishop of Sovana on 15 May 1645 by
Pope Innocent X. He was transferred to the diocese of
Montepulciano (1652–1663) on 23 September 1652. He died on 8 February 1663. Ughelli, p. 762. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 7.
^Born in Siena in 1616, and a member of the family of Pope Paul V, Borghese was named Bishop of Sovana on 11 December 1652. He was transferred to the diocese of
Pienza on 17 December 1668. He died on 15 January 1698. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 8,
^Cori had previously been Bishop of
Nardò (1656–1669). On 17 June 1669 he was transferred to the diocese of Savona by
Pope Clement IX. He died in 1672. Ughelli, p. 762. Gauchat IV, p. 257 with note 7. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 364 with note 2.
^Bichi was a nephew of
Pope Alexander VII. He had previously been Bishop of
Todi (Italy) (1658–1673). He was transferred to the diocese of Sovana on 12 June 1673 by
Pope Clement X. He died in Sovana on 9 September 1684. Bruscalupi, p. 505. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 349 with note 6. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 364 with note 3.
^A native of Siena, Salvi had been Provost of the cathedral Chapter of Pienza. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 11 December 1713. He died on 23 May 1727. Bruscalupi, Memorie storiche, p. 506. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 365 with note 6.
^Santi resisted the innovations of Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany and the
Synod of Pistoia.
^Born in Sovana, Bellucci had been Provost of the cathedral Chapter, and Vicar General of the diocese. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 30 September 1831, but died less than five weeks later, on 1 November. Cappelletti, p. 751. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 349.
^The diocese was administered by the Vicar Capitular, Giuseppe Bruscalupi.
^Born in Piancastagnajo (Sovana), Sbrolli studied at the Collegio Tolomei and the University of Siena, where he earned doctorates in theology and Canon Law, at the age of 23. He became secretary of Bishop Barzelotti, and was appointed archpriest at Manciano for eight years, and then archpriest at Piancastagnajo for nine years. He was named Bishop of Sovana e Pitigliano on 27 October 1871 by
Pope Pius IX. He resigned in July 1885, for reasons of health, and on 27 July 1885 was granted the title of titular archbishop of Lepanto and made a Canon of the Lateran Basilica. He died on 28 April 1888.
Il Rosmini enciclopedia di scienze e lettere (in Italian). Vol. III (Anno 2). Bologna: Ulrico Hoepli ed. 1 June 1888. pp. 659–660. Bruscalupi, p. 511-512.
^Carlesi was appointed Bishop of Savona e Pitigliano on 8 July 1916 by
Pope Benedict XV. On 23 May 1923 Carlesi was appointed Bishop of Cortona. Pięta, Hierarchia catholica IX, p. 346.
^Matteoni had previously been Bishop of Grosseto (1920–1924). He was appointed Bishop of Sovana e Pitigliano on 29 April 1924. On 3 March 1932 Matteoni was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Siena by
Pope Pius XI. He died in 1934. Pięta, Hierarchia catholica IX, p. 189.
Corridori, Ippolito (2004). La diocesi di Pitigliano Sovana Orbetella nella storia. Le Comunità parrochiali. Dalle origini ai nostri giorni. Fondi: Tipografia Grafiche PD Fondi. (in Italian)[self-published source?]
The Diocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello (
Latin: Dioecesis Pitilianensis-Soanensis-Urbetelliensis) is a
Latin Church diocese of the
Catholic Church in the
ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan
Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, in
Tuscany.[1][2] The diocese of Sovana had originally been directly dependent upon the Holy See, and its bishops attended the pope's synods. When
Pope Pius II, who was a Piccolomini of Siena, created the metropolitan archdiocese of Siena, he made Sovana one of its suffragan dioceses.[3] The bishops of Sovana usually resided in the former palace of the Orsini in Pitigliano, which was given to Bishop Francesco Pio Santi (1776–1789) by the Grand Duke of Tuscany.[4]
The bishop has his seat in the
Cattedrale di Ss. Pietro e Paolo, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, in
Pitigliano, a part of the province of
Grosseto; the municipality of
Sovana (Soana) in Toscana also has a
Co-Cathedral named in honour of Saint Peter.
Orbetello has the Concattedrale di S. Maria Assunta (S. Biagio), dedicated to the
Assumption and St. Biagio.
History
The two towns, Sovana and Pitigliano, are situated in the Province of Grosseto, Central Italy. The Diocese of Sovana, was in existence by 680, and was a
suffragan of the
Archdiocese of Siena. Sovana was an ancient Etruscan city, and preserved a certain importance till the end of the thirteenth century, having been the capital of the counts of Aldobrandeschi, lords of Southern Tuscany, from the days of
Charlemagne.
In 1401 the city fell into the power of the
Republic of Siena. In 1434, Count
Gentile Orsini having been killed at Sovana, the people of Pitigliano put the town to fire and sword, and brought about its destruction.[5]
On 22 April 1459,
Pope Pius II issued the bull "Triumphans Pastor", in which he raised the diocese of Siena to metropolitan status, and assigned to it as
suffragans the dioceses of Sovana, Chiusi, Massa, and Grosseto.[6]
On 11 January 1844,[8]Pope Gregory XVI created the diocese of Pitigliano, and assigned it aeque principaliter to the bishop of Sovana. The diocese was renamed as Diocese of Sovana–Pitigliano (Soanensis–Pitilianensis in Latin), and the former collegiate church of Saints Peter and Paul in
Pitigliano became the new cathedral.[9]
Modern changes
The
Second Vatican Council, in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses. It also recommended the abolition of anomalous units such as exempt territorial prelatures.[10] The
territorial Abbey of Saints Vincent and Anastasius in suburban Rome was one of them, having been suppressed in 1812, then handed over to the Friars Minor in 1825, though malaria drove them out; in 1867, the Cistercians took over the abbey with a contingent of Trappist friars. The widely dispersed properties which belonged to the abbey and the Catholics living on them had come to be neglected. After extensive consultation, therefore,
Pope John Paul II issued the apostolic constitution Abbatia SS. Vincentii on 25 March 1981, which reassigned various territories of the abbey to the dioceses in which they were situated. Properties in Tuscany at Orbetello, Monte Argentarii, Isola Igilii, and Capalbi, along with the parishes established in them, as well as oratories, chapels, cemeteries, and all other ecclesiastical goods, were assigned to the diocese of Sovana-Pitigliano. The diocese's name was changed to Diocese of Sovana–Pitigliano–Orbetello.[11]
On 30 September 1986, the diocese was renamed Diocese of Pitigliano–Sovana–Orbetello (Pitilianensis–Soanensis–Urbetelliensis in Latin), taking into account regulations that favoured the larger and more important city.[12]
Chapter and cathedral
The cathedral of Pitigliano began as a simple parish church, dedicated to S. Mark the Evangelist. In 1509, Pope Julius II raised the parish church to the dignity of a collegiate church, dedicated to Ss. Peter and Paul.[13] It was administered by a Chapter, composed of an Archpriest and eight Canons.[14]
In 1669, the Chapter of the cathedral of S. Pietro in Sovana had one dignity and three Canons.[15] Ughelli (1725) notes that there were two dignities (the Provost and the Dean) and three Canons. There were two parishes in the city of some 400 persons, one of which was the cathedral, whose Provost had the care of the souls of the parishioners.[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]
The first synod held in the diocese of Sovana following the decrees of the
Council of Trent on the regular holding of synods took place on 2 May 1601, under the direction of Bishop Metello Bichi (1596–1606).[18]
Bishop Ottavio Saraceni (1606–1623) held a synod in Sovana on 1 June 1620.[19] In 1626, Bishop Scipione Tancredi (1624–1637) presided over a diocesan synod.[20] On 9 May 1630, he presided over his fifth diocesan synod.[21] Bishop Enea di Cesare Spennazzi (1638–1644) held a diocesan synod in Sovana in 1639.[22] On 15 October 1682, Bishop Pier Maria Bichi, O.S.B. (1673–1684) convened a diocesan synod in Pitigliano.[23] A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Domenico Maria della Ciaja, O.P. (1688–1713) on 9 May 1690 in Sovana; on 20 April 1693 in Scansano; on 15 May 1696 in Pitigliano; on 22 May 1703 in Pitigliano; and on 3–4 May 1706 in Pitigliano;[24] he held his sixth synod in Pitigliano on 13 May 1709.[25]
Bishop Cristoforo Palmieri (1728–1739) held a diocesan synod in Soana on 16–17 June 1732.[26] Bishop Tiberio Borghesi (1762–1772) presided over a diocesan synod in 1768.[27]
On 23–24 September 1936, Bishop Stanislao Battistelli (1932–1952) presided over a diocesan synod in Pitigliano, in the episcopal palace. He celebrated another synod in July 1946, which constituted the occasion on which
Pope Pius XII declared
Pope Gregory VII the co-patron of the diocese.[28]
^Bullarum diplomatum et privilegiorum sanctorum romanorum pontificum (in Latin). Vol. Tomus V. Turin: Seb. Franco, H. Fori et H. Dalmazzo. 1860. pp. 150–152 §3.: "Necnon filias nostras praedictas Suanensem, Clusinensem et Grossetanensem et Massanensem Ecclesias, cum suis civitatibus et dioecesibus, iuribus el pertinentiis universis, Ecclesiae Seuensi et arcbiepiscopis praefatis, tamquam illorum metropolitanis et de eorum provincia...."
^Cappelletti XVII, p. 752. Bruscalupi, Monografia storica della contea di Pitigliano, p. 420.
^In its
decree Christus Dominus, section 22, it stated: "Concerning diocesan boundaries, therefore, this sacred synod decrees that, to the extent required by the good of souls, a fitting revision of diocesan boundaries be undertaken prudently and as soon as possible. This can be done by dividing dismembering or uniting them, or by changing their boundaries, or by determining a better place for the episcopal see or, finally, especially in the case of dioceses having larger cities, by providing them with a new internal organization.... At the same time the natural population units of people, together with the civil jurisdictions and social institutions that compose their organic structure, should be preserved as far as possible as units. For this reason, obviously, the territory of each diocese should be continuous."
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis vol. LXXIII (1981) pp. 474-476.
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis vol. LXXIX (Città del Vaticano 1987), pp. 451-452.
^Bruscalupi, Monographia storica della contea di Pitigliano, p. 17.
^Admonitiones ad clerum habitœ a Tiberio Burghesio, episcopo Suanensi, in synodo diœcesana, an. 1768. Siena, 1769.
Bibliothèque de l'Archevêché de Reims (in French). Reims: P. Dubois. 1864. p. 147.
^Bishop "Matianus" took part in the Roman synod of
Pope Agatho in 680. Ughelli, p. 587. J.-D. Mansi (ed.),
Tomus XI (Florence: A. Zatta 1765), p. 775. Cappelletti XVII, p. 737. Polock, p. 143.
^Bishop Bastianus subscribed at 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. 999. He is called Vestianus: Georg Heinrich Pertz, ed. (1837).
Constitutiones regum Germaniae (in Latin and German). Hannover: Hahn. p. 14.
^Bishop Tanimundus subscribed at the Roman synod of
Pope Leo IV in 853. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima,
Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta 1769), p. 1020.
^Bishop Rastaldus was present at the Lateran synod of
Pope Nicholas I in 861. J.-D. Mansi (ed.),
Tomus XV (Venice: A. Zatta 1770), p. 603. Cappelletti XVII, p. 737.
^Bishop Stephanus was present at the Roman synod of
Pope Hadrian II in Spring 869. J.-D. Mansi (ed.),
Tomus XVI (Venice: A. Zatta 1771), p. 131. Polock, p. 143.
^Bishop Rainerius founded a canonica (residence for Canons) in his diocese. Kehr III, p. 254 no. 1. Schwartz, p. 263.
^Joannes, son of Giso, was present at the Roman synod of
Pope John XIX and the Emperor Conrad II on 6 April 1027. He was also present at the Roman synod of
Pope Nicholas II in 1059. Ludwig Weiland; Jakob Schwalm; Richard Salomon (1893).
Constitutiones et acta publica imperatorum et regum: 911-1197. Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Constitutiones, I. (in Latin and German). Hannover: Hahn. p. 83.
ISBN9783447100427. Schwartz, p. 263.
^Bishop Anselmus is mentioned in a bull of
Pope Nicholas II of 27 April 1061, confirming the privileges of the cathedral Chapter of Sovana. Kehr III, p. 254, no. 1.
^Ughelli makes the statement that David was consecrated by
Pope Gregory VII in 1083. There is no evidence for such a claim. David is italicized as dubious by Schwartz, p. 263, and questioned by Polock, p. 145.
^Eugerius is referred to in 1194 by a witness in the lawsuit between Orvieto and Sovana, one Franco, an oblate of the church of Sovana: "Interrogatus quorum episcoporum temporibus predicti clerici venerunt ad sinodum S(uanensem), respondit quod temporibus Eugerii, Ildiz(onis), Bernardi S(uanensium) episcoporum." Polock, p. 112, 145.
^Bishop Ildito attended the Roman synod of
Pope Honorius II on 21 July 1126. Schwartz, p. 263. Polock, p. 146, conjectures that he died c.1151; his death was followed by an episcopal vacancy of two years.
^Paulinus was bishop for eighteen years. Polock, pp. 148-149.
^Bernardus is referred to in 1194 by a witness in the lawsuit between Orvieto and Sovana, one Franco, an oblate of the church of Sovana: "Interrogatus quorum episcoporum temporibus predicti clerici venerunt ad sinodum S(uanensem), respondit quod temporibus Eugerii, Ildiz(onis), Bernardi S(uanensium) episcoporum." Bernardus belongs after Ildito (Ildizo), assuming that the names given by Franco are in chronological order. Polock, p. 112, 145.
^Polock, p. 149. Polock offers the dates 1193–1198/1206, though admitting that the letter of
Pope Innocent III of 1298 does not name the Bishop of Sovana.
^Vivianus was one of eight bishops who assisted Bishop Raynerius of Toscanella in the consecration of the church of S. Maria Maggiore. Cappelletti XVII, pp. 740-741. Eubel I, p. 466. Polock, pp. 58-59.
^Bishop Galgrinus was appointed by
Pope Honorius III in 1221. He invited the Franciscans to settle in his diocese, and built them a convent; he consecrated their church on the second Sunday of September 1227. He is mentioned as being dead in a document of 1260, perhaps long dead. 1260 was not the year of his death. Cappelletti, p. 741. Eubel I, p. 466
^Bishop David was elected by the cathedral Chapter in 1270, but, since there was no pope because of the longest papal sede vacante in history, he could not have his bulls until after
Pope Gregory X was consecrated a bishop and crowned on 27 March 1272. Cappelletti, p. 744.
^On the death of Bishop David, the cathedral Chapter met and elected several bishops, each one refusing the honor. The matter was brought to
Pope Martin IV at Orvieto, and on 23 December 1283, he appointed ("provided") Moricus, who was a Canon of Assisi and chaplain of the bishop of Albanese (Epirus). Felix Olivier-Martin (1901).
Les registres de Martin IV (1281-1285): recueil des bulles de ce pape (in French and Latin). Paris: A. Fontemoing. p. 170. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Lando was appointed in 1294, according to Gams, p. 757 column 1. He was transferred to the diocese of
Nola by
Pope Boniface VIII on 22 April 1298. He died in 1304. Eubel I, pp. 370, 466.
^Monaldeschi was transferred by
Pope Boniface VIII to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of
Benevento (Italy) (1302.12 – death 1331).
^After the death of Bishop Zampo, the Chapter, using the "Way of Compromise", chose the Dominican Trasmundus. After an examination of the election and the character of the electus,
Pope Clement V approved the new bishop on 10 May 1312. In 1327 he was involved in a lawsuit against the Abbot of S. Salvatore de Monte Amiata. He died in office, and was succeeded by Alamanno Donati on 22 October 1330. Ughelli III, p. 747.
Regestum Clementis papae V (in Latin). Vol. VII: Annus septimus. Rome: ex Typographia Vaticana. 1887. pp. 98–88, no. 8019. Eubel I, p. 466.
^A native of Florence, Fra Alamannus was appointed by
Pope John XXII on 22 October 1330. He was transferred to the diocese of
Modena on 18 July 1342 by
Pope Clement VI. He died on 4 June 1352. Ughelli, p. 747. Eubel I, p. 466 with note 6.
^Nicolaus was a Sicilian from Messana. His brother was Abbot of S. Anastasio at Tre Fontane. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 19 July 1342 by Pope Clement VI. He is said to have died in 1362 (Eubel gives 1360, a typo?). Ughelli, pp. 747-748. Cappelletti, p. 744. Bruscalupi, p. 501. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Paolo had previously been Bishop of
Retimo (Crete) (1357–1360). He was named Bishop of Sovana on 20 May 1360 (or 1362) by
Pope Innocent VI. He died on 8 December 1367. Ughelli, p. 750. Cappelletti, p. 744. Eubel I, pp. 156, 466.
^Nicolaus of Nola was confirmed by
Pope Urban V on 17 July 1368. He died later in the year. Ughelli and Cappelletti record that he was elected in 1367, and that he died in the next year. Eubel I, p. 466. Ughelli believed that Niccolò da Nola was an appointee of
Benedict XIII of the Avignon Obedience.
^A Canon of the cathedral of Nola, Roberto was confirmed by Pope Urban V on 25 June 1369. Eubel I, p. 466.
^A native of Siena, Blandibelli had the doors of the cathedral made. Ughelli, p. 752. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Antonio was appointed by
Pope Urban VI on 19 March 1386. He paid for his own bulls, and those of his two predecessors. He died in 1390. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Tommaso was appointed by
Pope Boniface IX of the Roman Obedience on 29 November 1390. He was transferred to the diocese of
San Marco in 1397. He apparently died in 1399. Cappelletti, p. 745. Eubel I, pp. 326, 466.
^A native of Viterbo, Vanni had been Canon of the cathedral of Viterbo. He held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 22 March 1397. Cappelletti, p. 745, notes that Valentino was present at the council of
Pope John XXIII on 6 January 1413, though without naming his source. Ughelli, p. 752. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Cappelletti, p. 745, suggests that Pietro, the Abbot of
S. Gregorio Magno (Ss. Andrea e Gregorio) was an intruder. Antonio del Fede was appointed by
Pope Gregory XII in 1414, but Gregory had been deposed by the
Council of Constance, and most of his appointments were ignored or quashed. He was named bishop on 5 June 1402, but neither Ughelli nor Eubel is able to give the name of a pope or a reference. Ughelli, pp. 752-753. Eubel I, p. 466.
^Del Fede, a doctor of theology, had been named Bishop of Calvi by
Antipope John XXIII, and took possession on 17 October 1414 (according to Ughelli); but he was unable to retain possession due to the deposition of John XXIII at the
Council of Constance. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Martin V on 12 August 1418. He died in Lucca on 5 January 1433. Ughelli III, p. 753 (who puts his death in 1434). Cappelletti, pp. 745-746 (who places his death on 5 January 1433, based on his memorial inscription in Florence). Eubel I, p. 466 (who puts his death in 1433); II, p. 243 (where he puts it in 1434).
^Joachim Zachariae (Suhare), who had been the priest of S. Giovanni in Pitigliano, was named Bishop of Sovana on 20 January 1434; his election was suspended by
Pope Eugenius IV until 1439 (according to Ughelli). He was transferred to the diocese of
Canne on 8 June 1439. He was named Bishop of
Cassano all’Jonio on 12 December 1440. He died in 1463. Ughelli, p. 753. Eubel II, pp. 117, 119, 243.
^A native of Siena, Apollonio was a Canon of Siena, was named Bishop of Sovana on 8 June 1439. He worked energetically with the government of Siena to liberate southern Tuscany from the domination of the Aldobrandeschi family. With his help, Siena delivered Orbetello from the feudal overlordship of the Abbots of S. Vincenzo alla Tre Fontane. During his episcopacy, in 1460, the remains of
Maximilianus,
Bishop of Palermo, were translated from the Island of
Giglio to Sovana. He died in September 1467. On his death, the government of Siena attempted to install his Vicar General, Giovanni Magliani, as the next bishop, but the pope would not consent. Ughelli, pp. 753-757. Cappelletti, pp. 746-747. Eubel II, p. 243.
^On 26 October 1470, he was transferred by Pope Paul to the dioceses of
Montalcino and
Pienza. Ughelli, p. 757. Cappelletti, p. 747. Eubel II, pp. 216, 243.
^A native of Siena, Ghinucci had held the post of apostolicarum litterarum scriptor in the Roman Curia. He was named Bishop of Sovana by Pope Paul II on 12 November 1470. He was transferred to the diocese of
Grosseto on 9 March 1489 by
Pope Innocent VIII. Ghinucci had apparently been seeking a transfer for some time; he had enlisted the support of Lorenzo de'Medici, who recommended him to the Pope; his letter of thanks is dated 10 February 1489. He died in 1497. A. Cappelli, "Una lettera del vescovo di Sovana Andreoccio Ghinucci a Lorenzo il Magnifico," in:
Bullettino senese di storia patria (in Italian). Vol. tredicesimo. Siena: Accademia senese degli Intronati. 1906. pp. 222–226. Eubel II, p. 161, 243.
^A native of Siena, Scotti was named Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Innocent VIII on 9 March 1489. He died in 1492. Ughelli, p. 758. Cappelletti, p. 747. Eubel II, p. 243.
^A native of Siena, Piccolomini had been Vicar General of the bishop of Fermo. He was named bishop on 8 October 1492 by
Pope Alexander VI. He died in Siena in 1510. Ughelli, p. 758 (giving a date of 1 October 1492). Cappelletti, p. 747. Eubel II, p. 243.
^Alfonso was the son of Pandolfo Petrucci, the Tyrant of Siena. He was created
Cardinal-Priest of
S. Teodoropro hac vice Title by
Pope Julius II on 17 March 1511. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 1 October 1510, and resigned the See on 27 July 1513 in favor of his relative, Lattanzio Petrucci. He was deprived of his benefices on 22 June 1517, condemned to death by
Pope Leo X) on 29 June, and executed on 16 July 1517. Cappelletti, p. 748. Eubel III, pp. 12, no. 26; 305.
^Lattanzio Petrucci was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 27 July 1513. Deposed in 1517, and accused of treason by
Pope Leo X, Lattanzio was forced to flee, but acquitted by
Pope Adrian VI and later reinstated as Bishop of Sovana on 11 December 1522. Ughelli, p. 759. Cappelletti, p. 748. Eubel III, p. 305.
^Collesta was named on 2 December 1517. Ughelli, p. 759. Cappelletti, p. 748. Eubel III, p. 305 (who spells the name Coletta).
^Cardinal Petrucci, created
Cardinal-Priest of
S. Susanna (1517–1522), was administrator of the diocese from 6 February 1520 until his death on 11 December 1522; he was serving as Bishop of
Grosseto (1497–1522).
^Lattanzio Petrucci was reinstated by Pope Adrian VI on 11 December 1522 after the death of Cardinal Raffaello. Lattanzio died in 1527. Eubel III, p. 305.
^Cardinal Gonzaga was administrator from 5 July 1529 to 17 April 1532, while Bishop of
Mantova (Mantua, Italy) (1521–1563). He had been created
Cardinal-Deacon of
S. Maria Nuova on 5 May 1527. He died on 6 July 1556.
^Cardinal Farnese was administrator for only nine days, 17–26 April 1532, while
Cardinal-Bishop of
Ostia–Velletri. He died as Pope Paul III in 1549.
^Ferdinandus Farnese was the nephew of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 26 April 1532 by
Pope Clement VII, though he was only 23 years old. He was therefore only Administrator of the diocese until the age of 26. On the election of his uncle to the papacy, he resigned. His successor was appointed on 26 February 1535. Ughelli, p. 760. Eubel III, p. 305 with note 9.
^Simoncelli was a cleric of Orvieto. He was below the minimum age for episcopal consecration when he was appointed bishop on 26 February 1535 by
Pope Paul III. His episcopate lasted until January 1596. Ughelli, p. 760. Eubel III, p. 305.
^Bichi was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 15 January 1596 by
Pope Clement VIII. He resigned on 12 June 1606. He was later created
Cardinal-Priest of
Ss. Bonifacio ed Alessio (1611–1619) by
Pope Paul V. On 17 December 1612, he was named Metropolitan Archbishop of
Siena. He resigned on 23 March 1615. He died in 1619. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 323 with note 2.
^Saraceni was a native of Siena. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Paul V on 12 June 1606. He died in 1623. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 3.
^A native of Siena, Tancredi held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 15 January 1624. He was transferred to the diocese of
Montalcino on 2 March 1637, by
Pope Urban VIII. He died on 13 April 1641. Ughelli III, p. 761. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 4.
^A native of Siena, Tolomei had been Primicerius in the cathedral Chapter of Siena. He was named Bishop of Sovana by
Pope Urban VIII on 16 March 1637. Ughelli III, p. 761-762 (who states wrongly that he died in September 1639). Cappelletti XVII, p. 749 (who states that he died in September 1638). Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 5.
^Spennazzi, who had been secretary of the Dukes of Parma, was named Bishop of Sovana on 20 December 1638 by
Pope Urban VIII. On 23 May 1644, Spennazzi was transferred to the diocese of
Ferentino. He died in 1658. Ughelli, p. 762. Bruscalupi, p. 504-505. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 6.
^A native of Montepulciano, Cervini, a grand-nephew of
Pope Marcellus II, was named Bishop of Sovana on 15 May 1645 by
Pope Innocent X. He was transferred to the diocese of
Montepulciano (1652–1663) on 23 September 1652. He died on 8 February 1663. Ughelli, p. 762. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 7.
^Born in Siena in 1616, and a member of the family of Pope Paul V, Borghese was named Bishop of Sovana on 11 December 1652. He was transferred to the diocese of
Pienza on 17 December 1668. He died on 15 January 1698. Gauchat IV, p. 323 with note 8,
^Cori had previously been Bishop of
Nardò (1656–1669). On 17 June 1669 he was transferred to the diocese of Savona by
Pope Clement IX. He died in 1672. Ughelli, p. 762. Gauchat IV, p. 257 with note 7. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 364 with note 2.
^Bichi was a nephew of
Pope Alexander VII. He had previously been Bishop of
Todi (Italy) (1658–1673). He was transferred to the diocese of Sovana on 12 June 1673 by
Pope Clement X. He died in Sovana on 9 September 1684. Bruscalupi, p. 505. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 349 with note 6. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 364 with note 3.
^A native of Siena, Salvi had been Provost of the cathedral Chapter of Pienza. He was named Bishop of Sovana on 11 December 1713. He died on 23 May 1727. Bruscalupi, Memorie storiche, p. 506. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 365 with note 6.
^Santi resisted the innovations of Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany and the
Synod of Pistoia.
^Born in Sovana, Bellucci had been Provost of the cathedral Chapter, and Vicar General of the diocese. He was appointed Bishop of Sovana on 30 September 1831, but died less than five weeks later, on 1 November. Cappelletti, p. 751. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 349.
^The diocese was administered by the Vicar Capitular, Giuseppe Bruscalupi.
^Born in Piancastagnajo (Sovana), Sbrolli studied at the Collegio Tolomei and the University of Siena, where he earned doctorates in theology and Canon Law, at the age of 23. He became secretary of Bishop Barzelotti, and was appointed archpriest at Manciano for eight years, and then archpriest at Piancastagnajo for nine years. He was named Bishop of Sovana e Pitigliano on 27 October 1871 by
Pope Pius IX. He resigned in July 1885, for reasons of health, and on 27 July 1885 was granted the title of titular archbishop of Lepanto and made a Canon of the Lateran Basilica. He died on 28 April 1888.
Il Rosmini enciclopedia di scienze e lettere (in Italian). Vol. III (Anno 2). Bologna: Ulrico Hoepli ed. 1 June 1888. pp. 659–660. Bruscalupi, p. 511-512.
^Carlesi was appointed Bishop of Savona e Pitigliano on 8 July 1916 by
Pope Benedict XV. On 23 May 1923 Carlesi was appointed Bishop of Cortona. Pięta, Hierarchia catholica IX, p. 346.
^Matteoni had previously been Bishop of Grosseto (1920–1924). He was appointed Bishop of Sovana e Pitigliano on 29 April 1924. On 3 March 1932 Matteoni was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Siena by
Pope Pius XI. He died in 1934. Pięta, Hierarchia catholica IX, p. 189.
Corridori, Ippolito (2004). La diocesi di Pitigliano Sovana Orbetella nella storia. Le Comunità parrochiali. Dalle origini ai nostri giorni. Fondi: Tipografia Grafiche PD Fondi. (in Italian)[self-published source?]