The Diocese of Nola is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in Italy, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Naples. Its seat is the Campanian city of Nola, now a suburb of Naples. Its cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption. The dedication was originally to S. Stephen, the Protomartyr, but after the second reconstruction the dedication was changed to the Assumption. It is traditionally credited with the introduction of the use of bells into Christian worship.

History

Antiquity

The diocese was founded in the 3rd century by Felix of Nola. He was martyred, as were St Januarius's companions Reparatus, Faustillus, and Acacius. The early center of worship was at Cimitile, outside Nola proper and now named for its cemetery. The basilica of St Felix Martyr was built by Bishop Paulinus in the late 4th or early 5th century. Paulinus is traditionally credited with the introduction of bells into Christian ritual, whence two major medieval forms became known as nolas and campanas. Felix's remains, and then Paulinus's own, made the site a focus of Christian pilgrimage. (Paulinus's body was removed to the neighboring diocese of Benevento in 839, traded to the emperor Otto III in 1000, and finally restored to Nola in 1909.)

Middle Ages

Around 505, the mythical Bishop Paulinus III supposedly enslaved himself to free a widow's son. Several buildings were restored under Bishop Lupicinus around 786. In 1370, Bishop Francesco Scaccani began construction of the present Gothic cathedral, which was completed by Gian Antonio Boccarelli in 1469. The cathedral was administered and serviced by a Chapter, composed of four dignities (the Dean, the Archdeacon, the Treasurer, and the Cantor) and sixteen Canons. In addition, there was a Theologus and a Penitentiarius, in accordance with the decrees of the Council of Trent; they held prebends, but did not have a vote in the Chapter. There were also twelve beneficed clergy. In 1918, the Chapter had three dignities (Dean, Precentor, and Treasurer) and 7 Canons; there were eight Canons de numero.

Renaissance

The seminary was founded by Bishop Antonio Scarampi (1549–1569), introducing the reforms decreed by the Council of Trent. Bishop Traiano Caracciolo constructed a new seminary building in 1738. In 1585, Bishop Fabrizio Gallo (1585–1614) founded several charitable institutions. In 1588 Gallo held a diocesan synod.

Modern period

Giambattista Lancellotti, who served as bishop from 1615 to 1656, also served as papal nuncio to Poland from 1622 to 1627.

Bishops

to 1200

1200 to 1600

1600 to present

Reference works

Studies

Acknowledgments