Roman Catholic Diocese of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa
The Diocese of Melfi - Rapolla - Venosa (Latin: Dioecesis Melphiensis - Rapollensis - Venusina ) is a small location in the southern Italian province of Basilicata diocese of the Roman Catholic Church with Bishop based in the city of Melfi.
It belongs to the Church of the Church Province of Potenza, Basilicata Muro Lucano - Marsico Nuovo, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Muro Lucano - Marsico Potenza Nuovo. The diocese was created in September 1986 from the union of two small historic dioceses Melfi and Venosa - Rapolla.
History
The history of the Diocese of Venosa dates back to the 3rd century AD back. The names of the bishops are secured around since 500. The two historical dioceses Rapolla and Melfi were established during the Norman period in the 11th century. The diocese Rapolla goes back to the activities of the 10th century from Greece coming Basilian monks. The Diocese of Melfi was born a few years earlier also in the 11th century. The importance of Melfi as a major regional center reveals itself in the fact that here in the 11th century took place several important church meetings. So here recognized at a synod in the summer of 1059 Pope Nicholas II the legality of the claims of the two Norman leader Robert Guiscard and Richard of Aversa in the possession of the conquered of the two areas in Southern Italy. In turn, this made an oath of fealty to the Pope. 1089 took place under Pope Urban II, also a church meeting held at Melfi. In this further measures against the marriage of priests were decided. Married subdeacons to lose their office; at their incorrigibility woman to be awarded to the sovereign as a slave. The excommunication against the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I, initially against Nikephoros III. had been pronounced, was repealed and the Emperor asked military assistance against the infidels in prospect, and promises to hold back the Normans in southern Italy of attacks on Eastern Roman territory. At the same time the pressure on the Orthodox Church leaders in southern Italy was increased to recognize the Roman supremacy. On 16 May 1528 two bishoprics Melfi and Rapolla were united under Pope Clement VII. On September 30, 1986 carried an affiliation of the Diocese of Venosa.