Parishes 95 Rite Roman Rite Area 1,700 km² Bishop Pietro Santoro | Denomination Catholic Church Established 9th Century Country Italy | |
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Population
- Total
- Catholics (as of 2006)
115,137
109,000 (94.7%) Cathedral Cathedral of St. Bartholomew the Apostle (Avezzano) Ecclesiastical province Roman Catholic Archdiocese of L'Aquila | ||
The Diocese of Avezzano (Latin: Dioecesis Marsorum) is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in central Italy, carrying this name since 1986. Before it was known as the Diocese of Marsi. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of L'Aquila.
Contents
History
The diocese of Marsi had its original seat at Pescina.
According to legend, the Gospel was preached to the Marsican region in Apostolic times by Saint Mark, and Saint Rufinus, their bishop, was martyred about 240. The episcopal see was originally at Santa Sabina church in Marruvium, but, as this place was isolated and therefore insecure, Pope Gregory XIII permitted, in 1580, the removal of the bishop's residence to Pescina, where the cathedral was completed in 1596.
Among the bishops of the diocese was Saint Berardo of the family of the Counts of the Marsi. He was educated at Montecassino, and became pontifical governor of the Campagna. On account of his justice and of his severity in that office, he was imprisoned by Pietro Colonna, but Pope Paschal II made him a cardinal, and bishop of his native town.
Diocese of Marsi
Erected: 9th Century
Latin Name: Marsorum
Diocese of Avezzano
Name Changed: 30 September 1986
Latin Name: Marsorum
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of L'Aquila