Ecclesiastical province Campobasso-Boiano Denomination Catholic Church Established 5th Century Province Province of Isernia Country Italy | Parishes 48 Rite Roman Rite Area 740 km² Phone +39 0865 3224 | |
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Population
- Total
- Catholics (as of 2006)
63,000
60,000 (95.2%) Address Piazza Andrea D'Isernia, 86170 Isernia IS, Italy Similar Curia Vescovile, Basilica Minore dell'Addol, Cattedrale di Isernia ‑ San Pietr, Parrocchia Sacro Cuore, Diocesi Di Alife E Caiazzo | ||
The Italian Catholic diocese of Isernia-Venafro (Latin: Dioecesis Aeserniensis-Venafrensis) in Molise, is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Campobasso-Boiano. In 1852 the historic diocese of Isernia was combined with the diocese of Venafro, to form the diocese of Isernia e Venafro. The seat of the present bishop is Isernia Cathedral, while Venafro Cathedral has become a co-cathedral in the new diocese.
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History
After the Lombard invasions Isernia was the seat of a countship, founded by the Duke of Benevento. It was destroyed by the Saracens in the ninth century, and in 1199 was sacked by Marcolvaldo, the vicar of the deceased Emperor Henry VI. In 1805 it was visited by a severe earthquake, which ruined the ancient cathedral.
The epoch of the saintly Bishop Benedict is doubtful, though the existence of the episcopal see in the fifth century is certain.
In 1032 the Diocese of Venafro (formerly the seat of Roman country residences), which had its own bishops from the fifth century, was united to Isernia, and in 1230 it was again separated.
Diocese of Isernia
Erected: 5th Century
Diocese of Isernia e Venafro
United: 19 June 1852 with Diocese of Venafro
Current Bishop
Until Tuesday, April 30, 2013, Bishop Salvatore Visco was Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Isernia - Venafro; but on that day, Pope Francis appointed him to serve as Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Capua. Archbishop Salvatore Visco was born in Naples July 28, 1948. He completed his high school studies at the minor seminary of Pozzuoli and the philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary of Naples as a student at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, in the section Saint Thomas (Capodimonte). He was ordained a priest on April 14, 1973. After ordination he held the following offices and ministries: Parochial Vicar of Holy Mary. He served as a Professor of Religion at the public school (1974-1994), and as Pastor of the Church of Mater Domini (1985-1993), Director of the Diocesan Liturgical Office (1985-1994), Episcopal Delegate for the Permanent Diaconate ministry program, and Diocesan Director for other Ministries (1985-1995), Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pozzuoli, Italy and Dean of the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Pozzuoli (1994-2007). Appointed to serve as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Isernia - Venafro on April 5, 2007 by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, he received ordination as a Bishop on June 2, 2007. He is currently Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference of Abruzzi - Molise.