Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brindisi-Ostuni
Encyclopedia
The Italian Catholic archdiocese of Brindisi-Ostium, in Apulia
, has carried its present name since 1986. It is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Lecce.
The historical archdiocese of Brindisi was promoted from a diocese in the tenth century. The territory of the diocese of Ostuni was added to it in 1821. The archdiocese lost its status as metropolitan see in 1980.
was St. Leucius
, about 165, who later underwent martyrdom. There is no historical proof for early beginnings of Christianity, except the account given by Arnobius
of the fall of Simon Magus
, who according to him withdrew to Brindisi and cast himself from a high rock into the sea.
The Diocese of Brindisi at first embraced the territory comprised within the present diocese of Oria. In the tenth century, after Brindisi had been destroyed by the Saracens, the bishops took up their abode at Oria
, on account of its greater security.
From 1572-1591, during the tenure of the Spanish Bishop Bernardino de Figueroa
movements were made to separate Oria as seat of a new diocese. This occurred in 1591, with Vincenzo del Tufo being appointed the first bishop of Oria in 1596. In the reorganization of the dioceses of the Kingdom of Naples
in 1818 Brindisi was combined with the Diocese of Ostuni, formerly its suffragan.
Brindisi has been an archiepiscopal see since the tenth century. The ancient cathedral was located outside the city, but in 1140 Roger II, King of Sicily and Naples
, built the present cathedral in the centre of the city.
Among the bishops of Brindisi were:
Apulia
Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...
, has carried its present name since 1986. It is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Lecce.
The historical archdiocese of Brindisi was promoted from a diocese in the tenth century. The territory of the diocese of Ostuni was added to it in 1821. The archdiocese lost its status as metropolitan see in 1980.
History
According to a local legend, the first Bishop of BrindisiBrindisi
Brindisi is a city in the Apulia region of Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea.Historically, the city has played an important role in commerce and culture, due to its position on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. The city...
was St. Leucius
Leucius of Brindisi
Saint Leucius was initially a missionary from Alexandria, Egypt, who later founded the diocese of Brindisi, as the first Bishop in 165. It is believed that he later suffered martyrdom in 180.-Early life:...
, about 165, who later underwent martyrdom. There is no historical proof for early beginnings of Christianity, except the account given by Arnobius
Arnobius
Arnobius of Sicca was an Early Christian apologist, during the reign of Diocletian . According to Jerome's Chronicle, Arnobius, before his conversion, was a distinguished Numidian rhetorician at Sicca Veneria , a major Christian center in Proconsular Africa, and owed his conversion to a...
of the fall of Simon Magus
Simon Magus
Simon the Sorcerer or Simon the Magician, in Latin Simon Magus, was a Samaritan magus or religious figure and a convert to Christianity, baptised by Philip the Apostle, whose later confrontation with Peter is recorded in . The sin of simony, or paying for position and influence in the church, is...
, who according to him withdrew to Brindisi and cast himself from a high rock into the sea.
The Diocese of Brindisi at first embraced the territory comprised within the present diocese of Oria. In the tenth century, after Brindisi had been destroyed by the Saracens, the bishops took up their abode at Oria
Oria
-Places:Italy* Oria, Apulia, a town in the Apulia region, Province of Brindisi* Oria, Lombardy, a village in the municipality of Valsolda, in the Province of ComoSpain* Oria, Spain, a municipality in the Province of Almería, Andalusia...
, on account of its greater security.
From 1572-1591, during the tenure of the Spanish Bishop Bernardino de Figueroa
Bernardino de Figueroa
Bernardino de Figueroa was a Spanish composer, afterwards Bishop of Brindisi in Italy.Figueroa entered the chapel choir in 1518 and was the first maestro de capilla at the Royal Chapel of Granada till 1551, being succeeded by Rodrigo de Ceballos in 1561...
movements were made to separate Oria as seat of a new diocese. This occurred in 1591, with Vincenzo del Tufo being appointed the first bishop of Oria in 1596. In the reorganization of the dioceses of the Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of Naples
The Kingdom of Naples, comprising the southern part of the Italian peninsula, was the remainder of the old Kingdom of Sicily after secession of the island of Sicily as a result of the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282. Known to contemporaries as the Kingdom of Sicily, it is dubbed Kingdom of...
in 1818 Brindisi was combined with the Diocese of Ostuni, formerly its suffragan.
Brindisi has been an archiepiscopal see since the tenth century. The ancient cathedral was located outside the city, but in 1140 Roger II, King of Sicily and Naples
Roger II of Sicily
Roger II was King of Sicily, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his brother Simon. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105, later became Duke of Apulia and Calabria , then King of Sicily...
, built the present cathedral in the centre of the city.
Among the bishops of Brindisi were:
- St. Aproculus (Proculus), who died in 352 at Ardea, when returning from Rome, and was buried at Anzio;
- St. Cyprian, who died in 364;
- Andrea, murdered by the Saracens in 979;
- Eustachio (1060), the first to bear the title of archbishop;
- Guglielmo (1173), author of a life of St. Leucius;
- Girolamo Aleandro (1524), humanist, and papal nuncio in Germany in connection with Luther's Reformation, and later Cardinal;
- Pietro Caraffa, Bishop of Chieti, and afterwards Pope Paul IV, for some time the Apostolic administrator of this diocese;
- Francesco Aleandro (1542);
- Giovanni Carlo Bovio (1564–1572) from Bologna, who translated the works of Gregory of NyssaGregory of NyssaSt. Gregory of Nyssa was a Christian bishop and saint. He was a younger brother of Basil the Great and a good friend of Gregory of Nazianzus. His significance has long been recognized in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Catholic and Roman Catholic branches of Christianity...
, and was at the Council of TrentCouncil of TrentThe Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
; - Bernardino de FigueroaBernardino de FigueroaBernardino de Figueroa was a Spanish composer, afterwards Bishop of Brindisi in Italy.Figueroa entered the chapel choir in 1518 and was the first maestro de capilla at the Royal Chapel of Granada till 1551, being succeeded by Rodrigo de Ceballos in 1561...
(1571–1591) former choirmaster of the Royal Chapel of GranadaRoyal Chapel of GranadaThe Royal Chapel of Granada is a mausoleum located in the city of Granada in Andalusia, southern Spain.-Mausoleum:The mausoleum houses the remains of the Catholic Monarchs :...
; - Paolo de Vilanaperlas (1716);
- Andrea Maddalena (1724), who restored the cathedral after it had been damaged by the earthquake of 1743.