The Archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Italy in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani in Apulia. Formerly a metropolitan see, in 1980 it became a suffragan archdiocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto. It received its current name in 1986, when the Archdiocese of Trani (suffragan until 1063) added to its title the names of two suppressed dioceses merged into it.

Special churches

The Archdiocese's archiepiscopal cathedral is Basilica Cattedrale di S. Nicola Pellegrino, a minor basilica, in Trani. The Archdiocese also includes three Co-cathedrals, in the two bishoprics whose titles it adopted: they are Basilica Concattedrale di S. Maria Maggiore, located in Barletta, Basilica Concattedrale di S. Pietro Apostolo, in Bisceglie (both also Minor basilicas) and Concattedrale di S. Maria di Nazareth, again in Barletta. Furthermore, the archdiocese comprises another Minor Basilica: Basilica del San Sepolcro, in Barletta, and two Former Cathedrals: Chiesa San Giacomo Maggiore, in Barletta, and Ex cattedrale San Stefano, in Trinitapoli.

History

The legend of St. Magnus relates that there was at Trani about the middle of the third century a bishop, Redemptus, who was succeeded by St. Magnus. The legend is recent in origin, and its character is so fantastic that it is not to be believed. The first bishop whose date is known with certainty is Eutychius, who was present at the dedication of the Basilica of Monte Gargano in 493. Until the end of the 10th century, Trani had followed the Latin Church and it's liturgies, and Bishop Bernardo opposed the decree of the Patriarch Polyeuctes (968) introducing the Byzantine Rite; it is uncertain whether Joannes, bishop of Trani, who embraced the schism of Michael Caerularius and in consequence was deposed by Pope Nicholas II (1059), belonged to the Greek Rite. His successor was Delius, and thenceforward Trani continued in the Latin Church. In 1073 Trani fell into the hands of the Normans, and Count Pierre d'Hauteville became Count of Trani, though he was quickly put down by Robert Guiscard. In 1098 Nicholas the Pilgrim, a Byzantine Christian, died there; under another Byzantine the new cathedral was dedicated to that saint. Bertrand II (1157–87) tried to arrange a Byzantine–Sicilian marriage alliance. Samarus was granted the lordship of the Jews of Trani by Emperor Henry VI for his support against Tancred. Bartolommeo Brancacci (1328) distinguished himself on several embassies and was chancellor of the Kingdom of Naples. In 1455 the Diocese of Cannae (Italian Canne) was united with that of Nazareth. Cannae was destroyed in 1083 by Robert Guiscard, with the exception of the cathedral and the episcopal residence. It had bishops in the sixth century, for Gregory the Great entrusted the see to the care of the bishop of Siponto; its bishops are again mentioned after the tenth century. In 1534 Cannae was separated from Nazareth and united to the diocese of Monteverde, but in 1552 the united dioceses were incorporated with Nazareth. In 1860 the See of Nazareth (Barletta) was united with Trani, the archbishop of which had been appointed in 1818 perpetual administrator of the see of Bisceglie. With the See of Trani is united the ancient diocese of Salpe (Salapia of the Greeks), its known bishops comprising Palladius (465) and 23 successors before the definitive union in 1547. Another is the see of Carnia, which had bishops before the time Gregory, who entrusted it to the care of the Bishop of Reggio Calabria; in 649 it had a new ordinary, but later the city fell into decay.

Bishops and Archbishops

Diocese of Trani

Erected: 5th Century

Archdiocese of Trani

Elevated: 11th Century

Archdiocese of Trani – Bisceglie

United with Diocese of Bisceglie: 27 June 1818

Archdiocese of Trani – Nazareth – Bisceglie

Name Changed: 22 September 1828

Archdiocese of Trani – Barletta – Nazareth – Bisceglie

Latin Name: Tranensis et Barolensis (et Nazarensis et Vigiliensis) Name Changed: 21 April 1860

Archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie (-Nazareth)

Latin Name: Archidioecesis Tranensis-Barolensis-Vigiliensis (-Nazarensis) Name Changed: 30 September 1986

Gallery of Co-cathedrals

References and Notes

Sources and external links

Reference Works

Studies

Acknowledgment