The diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi (Latin: Dioecesis Melphictensis-Rubensis-Iuvenacensis-Terlitiensis) is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Apulia, southern Italy, which was established in 1986, when the diocese of Molfetta-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi was united with the diocese of Ruvo. Giovinazzo is only four miles south-east of Molfetta along the Adriatic coast, and Ruvo only ten miles inland to the south-west; Terlizzi is likewise only four miles from Molfetta, some four miles nearer than Ruvo. The historical diocese of Molfetta was expanded in 1818. The current diocese is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto.
The first bishop of Molfetta of whom there is any record was John, whose incumbency is referred to the year 1136. The see was at first suffragan of Bari, but in 1484 it became immediately dependent upon Rome. In 1818, it was enlarged with the territory of the suppressed diocese of Giovinazzo and diocese of Terlizzi, which were re-established in 1835, remaining united, aeque principaliter.
Pope Innocent VIII (Cibo) granted the diocese the privilege of being immediately subject to the Roman pontiff, without any other Metropolitan.
In 1600 the city of Molfetta had a population of around 10,000; in 1775 it was around 9,000. In the city were five religious houses for men, and one monastery of male monks. In 1775 there were four religious houses.
Under Bishop Simon Alopa the number of Canons in the Cathedral Chapter was fixed at twenty-four, reducing the number from thirty-six. In addition to the Canons there were six dignities in the Chapter, the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, two Primicerii (Cantores), the Penitentiary and the Sacristan. The current Chapter preserves these six dignities, but there are only eleven Canons and two Honorary Canons.
Latin Name: Melphictensis
Erected: 12th Century
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Ioannes (attested 1136)
Ioannes (attested 1179)
Accarinus (attested 1205 – 1218)
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Risandus (attested 1222 – 1236)
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Richardus ( – 5 August 1271)
Angelus Saracenus de Urbe (attested 1280 – 1287)
Paulus, O.Min. (9 December 1295 – ? )
Latin Name: Melphictensis-Iuvenacensis-Terlitiensis
United: 4 March 1836 with Diocese of Giovinazzo e Terlizzi
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Bari (-Canosa)
Latin Name: Melphictensis-Rubensis-Iuvenacensis-Terlitiensis
United: 30 September 1986 with Diocese of Ruvo
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto
Donato Negro (22 Dec 1993 - 29 Apr 2000 Appointed, Archbishop of Otranto)
Luigi Martella (13 Dec 2000 - 6 Jul 2015 Died)
Domenico Cornacchia (15 Jan 2016 - )
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Diocese of Molfetta, Terlizzi, and Giovinazzo". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.
