Roman Catholic Diocese of Lacedonia


The Italian Catholic diocese of Lacedonia, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Benevento in Campania, existed until 1986 when incorporated into the reorganized Roman Catholic Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia.

History

The bishop of Lacedonia had his episcopal throne in the cathedral of Lacedonia, which was dedicated to the carrying up of the body of the Virgin Mary into heaven. The old cathedral dated from the eleventh century.
The cathedral was administered and served by a Chapter, which consisted of five dignities and seven Canons. The dignities were: the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, the Primicerius, and the Treasurer. Two of the other Canons were appointed the Theologus and the Penitentiary.
The diocese was from its founding a suffragan of the Conza.
The first known bishop is Desiderius, mentioned in 1082, but he is known to have had predecessors.
In the great earthquake of 1456, the town of Lacedonia was completely ruined and abandoned. Recovery was assisted by the Prince of Taranto, Gianantonio Orsini. But, by 1625, there were only about 300 families living in Lacedonia. In 1744, there were still only 1,200 inhabitants.
In 1818, in consideration of the Concordat reached between the Holy See and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the territory of the Diocese of Lacedonia was increased by the suppression of the diocese of Trevico, a neighbouring diocese subject to the Metropolitan of Benevento.
Lacedonia suffered much from earthquakes, especially in 1694 and 1702. In 1694, one third of the houses were destroyed, and the rest were damaged. One person was killed.

Bishops of Lacedonia

to 1500

United: 30 September 1986 with the Diocese of Ariano to form the Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia

Studies