The Diocese of Imola (Latin: Diocesis Imolensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in Romagna, northern Italy. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Bologna.[1][2] The diocese had originally been a suffragan of the metropolitan of Milan, and was then subject to the Archbishop of Ravenna until 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII made Bologna an archbishopric and assigned it two suffragans, Imola and Cervia. In 1604, however, Pope Clement VIII returned them to the metropolitanate of Ravenna.[3]Pope Pius VII transferred Imola back to the metropolitanate of Bologna.
The diocese of Imola is noted for having had a number of its bishops elected to the Papacy, including Cardinal Fabio Chigi (1652), afterwards Pope Alexander VII; Cardinal Barnaba Chiaramonti (1785), afterwards Pope Pius VII; and Cardinal Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti (1832), afterwards Pope Pius IX.
History
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The Christian origins of Imola are obscure. The episcopal see certainly antedates St. Ambrose,[4] who, during a vacancy in the diocese of Imola, asked the bishop of Voghenza (the ancient Vicus Haventia), to visit the church of Imola, until a bishop was consecrated, since Ambrose himself was occupied and unable to carry out a visitation.[5] Ambrose was concerned about the Gothic Arians and the inroads that their heresies were making on the orthodox Christians.[6]
In 888, Pope Stephen V ordered the Archbishop of Ravenna to see to it that a bishop was canonically elected for Imola. There was to be no election while the incumbent was still alive, even though he might be ill. When there was a legitimate vacancy, the Clergy was to carry out the election, and the People were to approve it. There had earlier been strife in the city when the People attempted to elect a bishop without reference to the Clergy. It was only later that the Cathedral Chapter began to exercise the rights which had once belonged to the entire Clergy.[8] By the year 1217, the right to elect the bishop belonged to the Canons of the Cathedral of S. Cassiano and the Canons of San Lorenzo, acting as a single electoral college.[9]
On 7 August 1118, Pope Gelasius II restored to the Archbishop of Ravenna all of the dioceses which had been removed from his metropolitanate by Pope Paschal II, due to the participation of the archbishops in the schism that supported the Emperor Henry IV. One of the dioceses that was restored to Ravenna was the diocese of Imola.[10]
Other bishops are: John (946), who restored the cathedral and embellished the tomb of St. Peter Chrysologus; Ridolfo (1146) and Enrico (1174), who suffered for their adherence to Pope Alexander III, Enrico laid the foundations of the present cathedral, finished in 1271 under Bishop Sinibaldo; Pietro Ondedei (1416), a distinguished canonist and theologian; the Dominican Gaspare Sighigelli (1450), learned and saintly; Girolamo Dandini (1546), formerly nuncio at Paris, founder of an orphan asylum; Francesco Guarini (1566), the founder of the seminary; Cardinal Filippo Antonio Gualterio (1702), founder of a mone frumentario to supply the poor peasant with seed; and Cardinal Giovanni Carlo Bandi (1752), who rebuilt the cathedral and the basilica of Valentinian.
French occupation
The Battle of Lodi was fought on 10 May 1796, giving the general of the army of the French Republic, Napoleon Bonaparte, a claim to having routed Austrian forces. The claim was actually established after he won the Battle of Mantua, the battle at the Arcola, and the Battle of Rivoli. On 27 June an armistice was arranged between Napoleon and the papal armies of Pope Pius VI, in which the Pope lost control of the March of Ferrara and Bologna. On 1 February 1797 the city of Imola was occupied by the French. The Bishop of Imola, Cardinal Chiaramonti, was ordered by the Pope not to fall into the hands of the French, and therefore he fled from Imola to Cesena, intending to head for Rome. At Spoleto, however, he received a plea from the French magistrates and Bonapartists in Imola to return, but after writing to the Pope, who pointed out that Chiaramonti had no way of controlling them, he continued on his journey to Rome. In fear of being supplanted on his episcopal throne by some French-sponsored intruder, he obtained papal permission to return.[11]
On 17 February 1797, Napoleon and papal representatives signed the Treaty of Tolentino, in which the Pope surrendered Avignon, the Comtat Venaissin, and the Romagna. Imola was incorporated into the short lived Cispadane Republic (16 October 1796 – 9 July 1797). On 18 October 1797 Bonaparte entered into the Treaty of Campo Formio with the Austrians, promising them in secret clauses the Republic of Venice; he was able to withdraw to Paris, and then set off on his eastern expedition. In his Christmas message of 1797, therefore, Cardinal Chiaramonti faced impossible difficulties in attempting to calm the Imolese and to suggest a way through the political situation. He wrote.[12]
The democratic form of government adopted among you is not in opposition to the maxims already set forth, nor repugnant to the Gospel. On the contrary, it exacts all the sublime virtues which are learned only in the school of Jesus Christ, and which, when religiously practised by you, will constitute your felicity, the glory and spirit of your republic. Let virtue alone, which perfects man and directs him towards the supreme end, the highest and best of all, let this virtue alone, quickened by the natural lights and strengthened by the teachings of the Gospel, be the solid foundation of our democracy.
The French army which was left behind, led by General Berthier, occupied Rome on 10 February 1798, and arrested the Pope on 20 February. Pius VI was deported to Siena and then to Florence.
The Austrians took the opportunity of Bonaparte's absence from Italy to advance into territory which Bonaparte had seized, and on 30 June 1799 Imola was occupied by the Austrians.[13]
Pope Pius VI died on 29 August 1799, in the fortress of Valence, a prisoner of the French Directory. The Conclave to elect his successor took some time to find a secure place to hold its meetings. The pope and cardinals had been expelled from Rome in 1798, and there were few places where the cardinals could assemble without fear of French interference. They chose Venice, which was under the "protection" of the Austrians. The Conclave opened on 30 November 1799, and on 14 March 1800 Cardinal Chiaramonti, Bishop of Imola, was elected pope. He chose the name Pius VII. He did not, however, relinquish the diocese of Imola, retaining it until his return from his imprisonment in France (1808–1814) by the Emperor Napoleon. In the Consistory of 8 March 1816, Pius resigned the diocese of Imola into the hands of Cardinal Antonio Rusconi.[14]
On 16 September 1803, Pius VII (Chiaramonti) entered into a Concordat with the Praeses reipublicae Italicae, primus Gallicanae reipublicae Consul (Napoleon Bonaparte), which included provisions for redrawing the map of the ecclesiastical provinces of northern Italy. In Article II, Imola, Reggio, Modena, and Carpi were assigned as suffragans of the diocese of Bologna.[16]
Cathedral and Chapter
The Cathedral of Imola is dedicated to the memory of the martyr Cassianus of Imola. Cassiano was not a bishop of Imola.[17] The cathedral was served by a Chapter of Canons, headed by seven dignities. The dignities were: the Provost, the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, the Dean, the Primicerius, the Thesaurius, and the Custos. There were eleven Canons, each with a prebend.[18] In 1751, there were eight dignities and twelve Canons.[19]
The bishops of Imola enjoyed the right to appoint, confirm, enthrone, and invest the Canons of the Cathedral Chapter, the Provosts, and the other prelates. The Bishop and Canons together elected the Sacristan, but the bishop alone confirms and invests.[20]
The Provost and Canons are mentioned as parties to a lawsuit in a mandate of Pope Urban III (1185–1187).[21] In 1511, Pope Julius II secularized the Provostship, and reserved the appointment to the Holy See. His first appointment was Giovanni Battista Vulpi, a Protonotary Apostolic and brother of the soldier Taddeo Vulpi. The dignity of Primicerius was created in 1504 by Bishop Simone Bonadies (1488–1511). The dignity of Treasurer was created in 1513, and was under the patronage of the Saxatelli family, and then the Machirelli. The dignity of Custos was instituted in 1526.[22] It was Bishop Alessandro Musotti (1579–1607) who instituted the Canon Penitentiarius and the Canon Theologus out of the eleven Canons, in accordance with the decree of the Council of Trent.[23]
In the 12th century, the Canons lived in Castro S. Cassiani, in a building called the Canonica, which was near enough to the Episcopal Palace that the bishop could observe visually the comings and goings of the Canons. Not all of the Canons resided in the Canonica, however; some are recorded from time to time as living in the Guest House (Xenodochium) of the Monastery of S. Vitale, which belonged to the Canons. In the second half of the 12th century, under Bishops Rodulphus (1147–1168), Arardus, and Henricus (1173–1193), when the Castro S. Cassiani was in ruins, they moved to the village of Duccia.[24] Then Bishop Henricus built them a new house in Imola itself, to which the Canons moved in 1188.[25]
After his return to Rome from a year-long visit to Imola (having been driven out of his native Florence), Cardinal Niccolò Ridolfi, the Apostolic Administrator of Imola (1533–1546), sent the diocese a set of Constitutions for the Canons of the Cathedral.[26]
The city of Imola also had a Collegiate church, San Lorenzo, which was of such ancient foundation that the original church collapsed in 967, and had to be rebuilt. The Chapter was presided over by an Archpriest, and included a number of Canons. In 1313 the financial situation of the church had so diminished due to wars and both internal and external strife that the full complement of Canons could not be maintained. Bishop Matteo Orsini, O.P. (1302–1317) therefore ordered that the church should be governed by the Archpriest, and by four Canons in priestly orders.[27]
Synods
A diocesan synod was an irregular but important meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.[28]
Bishop Carolo Alidosi (1342–1353) presided over a general synod of prelates and clerics and the whole clergy of the city and diocese of Imola on 12 August 1346. They heard complaints on the part of Fra Paulino da Urbino, O.P., against depredations against their convent and church of Saint Nicholas in Imola.[29]
Cardinal Ridolfi also ordered the convocation of a diocesan synod, for the reform of the clergy. The synod took place in the Cathedral of Imola on 14 June 1538, under the presidency of Canon Girolamo Ferri, the Cardinal's Vicar General.[30] Bishop Alessandro Musotti (1579–1607) held a diocesan synod on 22 August 1584; its Constitutions were published by order of Cardinal Donghi in 1659. Bishop Rodolfo Paleotti (1611–1619) held a diocesan synod on 22 May 1614, and published its decrees.[31] Bishop Ferdinando Millini (1619–1644) held three diocesan synods, in 1622,[32] 1628, and 1638, whose Constitutions were also published by Cardinal Donghi. Donghi himself held a synod on 29 and 30 April 1659.[33] Bishop Costanzo Zani, O.S.B. (1672–1694) held a diocesan synod in the Cathedral of Saint Cassianus on 29–31 March 1693.[34]
In 1718, Bishop Ulisse Gozzadini (1710–1728) presided at a diocesan synod, whose decrees were published.[35] Cardinal Giuseppe Accoramboni (1728–1739) conducted a diocesan synod on 25–27 October 1738.[36] Cardinal Giovanni Carlo Bandi (1752–1784) held a synod in 1764.[37]
Bishop Paolino Tribbioli (1913–1956) presided over a diocesan synod on 4–6 July 1938.[38] A synod was held from 2009 to 2011 by Bishop Tommaso Ghirelli.[39]
^Ambrose, Epistulae VII. 1: Commendo tibi, fili, Eccclesiam quae est ad Forum Cornelii, quo eam de proximo intervisas frequentius, donec ei ordinetur episcopus. Occupatus diebus ingruentibus quadragesimae, tam longe non possum excurrere. Habes illic Illyrios de mala doctrina Arrianorum. Cave eorum zizania, non appropinquens fidelibus, non serpant adulterina femina. Advertant quid propter suam perfidiam accident sibi, quiescant, aut veram fidem sequantur.
^Chrysologus himself was buried at Imola, having died in his native city. His tombstone, discovered in 1698, was a rude block on which was written PETRUS. Of the gifts said to have been given by Chrysologus to the church of Imola there is still preserved a paten, with the figure of a lamb on an altar, surrounded by the metrical legend Quem plebs tunc cara crucis agnum fixit in ara. Hostia fit gentis primi pro labe parentis. These leonine verses, however, indicate a much more recent date, and refute the pious tale of the donation.
^Ughelli, Italia sacra II, p. 622. The number was fixed by Bishop Mainardinus Aldigieri in 1230: esse debeat numerus undecim Canonicorum tantum sine preposito. Zaccaria, I, pp. 116-117.
^Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 243 note 1.
^Zaccaria, II, pp. 70-71 (document from the last decade of the 12th century).
^Kehr, p. 165 no. 2. Zaccaria, I, p. 116, gives the wrong date of 1124, by confusing Pope Celestine III with Pope Celestine II.
^Decreta Synodi dioecesanae Imolensis, a Ferdinando Millinio, Episcopo Imolensis Ecclesiae, edita anno MDCXXII., adjecto in fine catalogo Episcoporum Imolensis Ecclesiae. Faventiae: Georgius Zarafallius 1622. Alberghetti, pp. 164-165.
^The bishop's name is unknown. It is conjectured that he existed because of the wording of Ambrose of Milan's letter mentioning "the Church which is at Forum Cornelii" which needed to be looked after "until a bishop could be consecraed for it". Lanzoni, pp. 774-775.
^Projectus is known only from a sermon of Peter Chrysolorus of Ravenna. The dates of his episcopate are not known. The 'Life of Projectus' is nothing but a light reworking of the 'Life of Prejectus of Auvergne', and is therefore worthless. Lanzoni, p. 775, no. 3.
^Lanzoni, p. 775, no. 4. He is questioned by Gams, p. 701, column 1.
^Gams, p. 701, column 1. Lanzoni, p. 776-777, points out the confusion with Maurelius, Bishop of Angers (c. 443). Maurelius' feast day was on 6 October (according to Lanzoni; Ughelli, p. 623, puts it on 9 May), as was that of Maurelius of Voghenza-Ferrara. Lanzoni argued that both Italian bishops were borrowings from the French bishop.
^Lanzoni, p. 777, no. 5. Pope Gregory I wrote a letter to Archbishop Marinianus of Ravenna (Epistolae VII. 42; Migne, p. 901), advising him that he had received the Archbishop' letter about the defection (lapsus) of the Episcopus Corneliensis and his request to consecrate a new bishop in his place. The canonical period of three months had passed, and the bishop in question had left his position for longer than that time; a new bishop ought to be consecrated.
^Bishop Petrus attended the Roman Council of Pope Nicholas I in 861, which had been called to deal with the aggressive greed, both institutional and personal, of Bishop John of Ravenna. Giovanni Domenico Mansi, ed. (1770). Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio (in Latin) (editio novissima ed.). Venice: A. Zatta. p. 603. Benacci, Parte seconda, p. 42. Gams, p. 701, column 1.
^This Ignotus is conjectured to have been the immediate successor of Bishop Petrus. Manzoni, p. 48. Pope Stephen V had been compelled to rebuke Archbishop Romanus of Ravenna for attempting to remove and replace this bishop of Imola because he was ill: quia iniustum sit, ut episcopus honore suo privetur aegrotus. Kehr, p. 173, no. 3. Manzoni's thesis is rejected by Zaccaria, II p. 21, who prefers to believe that Bishop Peter governed the Church of Imola for another 25 years after the Roman Council.
^The Sede vacante seems to have been a prolongued one. Pope Stephen V (885–891) was compelled to write a letter to Archbishop Romanus of Ravenna (878–888) on the matter. There was dissention among the people (in cujus electione, populi divisionem provenisse audivimus). The Archbishop was ordered to take care that an assembly of the clergy and people does not violate canon law. It is an election by the priesthood, and the consensus of the people must be obtained; the people is to be taught, not followed. Kehr, p. 173, no. 4 (dating the Pope's letter in 888.
^This Ignotus would have been the successful candidate elected by the Chapter and Clergy of Imola, ending the Sede vacante referred to by Pope Stephen V.
^Bishop Joannes was present at the synod held in Ravenna in 967, by Pope John XII in the presence of the Emperor Otto I. Ughelli, p. 624. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIX (Venice: Zatta 1774), p. 3.
^Pope Honorius II (1124–1130) issued a bull, confirming for Bishop Benno his possession of the rights, privileges, and properties of the diocese of Imola. Ughelli, p. 624. Cappelletti, p. 209. Kehr, p. 163 no. 5.
^In 1151, Pope Eugene III (1145–1153) ordered the magistrates of Bologna to assist Bishop Rodulphus in a fight between the citizens of Imola and the citizens of S. Cassiano. The Pope took the church of Imola under the protection of the Holy See (Papacy). Kehr, p. 164, nos. 6-7.
^On 30 March 1179, at the time of the Third Lateran Council, Pope Alexander III (1159–1181) confirmed for Bishop Henricus the privileges which had been granted the Church of Imola by Pope Eugene III. Bishop Henricus was present at the Council. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXII (Venice: Zatta 1778), p. 463. Kehr, p. 164, no. 8.
^Pope Celestine III (1191–1198) ordered mediation in a quarrel between the Canons of Imola and Bishop Albertus of Imola. The agreement was finalized in 1198, after Pope Innocent III had taken office. Bishop Alberto was transferred to the diocese of Ravenna on 10 March 1202. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, pp. 284, 415. Albertus died after 15 August 1201, the day on which he signed a grant. Zaccaria, I, pp. 132-133; II, p. 67. Eubel, I, p. 284. Kehr, p. 165 no. 12.
^Giovanni had previously been a Canon of the Lateran Basilica, and Bishop of Olenus (Greece) (1297–1300). He was transferred to Imola on 26 March 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII. He was transferred to the diocese of Rieti (Reate) on 3 August 1302. Eubel, I, pp. 284, 375, 416.
^Orsini was named Bishop of Imola by Pope Boniface VIII on 5 August 1302. He was appointed Bishop of Chiusi on 12 January 1317.
^Raimboldus had been a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Chiusi. He was appointed by Pope John XXII on 12 January 1317. He died in 1341. Eubel, I, p. 284.
^Bishop Carlo was appointed by Pope Clement VI on 18 July 1342. He had bee Archpriest of Santa Maria de Salustra (Imola) and a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter. He died in 1353. Manzoni, pp. 235-238. Eubel, I, p. 284.
^Litus Alidosi was the nephew of Bishop Carlo Alidosi. Pope Gregory XI, while he still resided in Avignon, had appointed Litus' brother Beltrandus Alidosi as papal vicar in Imola. Litus had been a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Imola. He was named Bishop of Imola by Pope Innocent VI on 29 January 1354; he appointed Oberto de Novaria, O.S.B. as his Vicar. Litus was named Treasurer General of the Holy Roman Church by Pope Urban VI, and governed the diocese through Carolo Alidosi from 17 October 1379. He died on 22 December 1381 (or 1382, according to Manzoni). Manzoni, pp. 238-247. Eubel, I, p. 284 with note 5.
^Guillelmo Alidosi had been transferred from the diocese of Cervia on 19 April 1382. He died on 22 December 1382. Eubel, I, p. 284.
^Carafa was transferred to the diocese of Bari in 1384, to replace Cardinal Landolfo Maramaldi, who had gone over to the Avignon Obedience. Eubel, I, pp. 129, 284.
^Antonio Calvi appointed Bishop of Imola by Pope Boniface IX on 10 October 1390. He was transferred to the diocese of Todi on 22 December 1395, though at the time of his transfer he was still Bishop-elect of Imola. Calvi was named a cardinal by Pope Innocent VII on 12 June 1405. He died on 2 October 1411. Eubel, I, pp. 26 no. 8; 284; 502
^Guidotti was appointed by Pope Boniface IX on 22 December 1395. He died in 1399. Eubel, I, p. 284.
^Nicolaus was appointed by Pope Boniface IX on 22 September 1399. He was transferred to the diocese of Segni on 18 August 1402. Eubel, I, pp. 284, 451.
^Francesco had been a papal Referendary. He was provided to the diocese of Imola by Pope Benedict XIII in 1399. He was transferred to the diocese of Nice in 1403. Eubel, I, p. 284, 364.
^Ermanno Brancaleone was appointed by Pope Boniface IX on 23 August 1402. He died on 5 May 1412. Eubel, I, p. 284.
^Pietro was appointed by Pope John XXIII on 22 June 1412. He died in 1450. Eubel I, p, 284; II, p. 167.
^Bishop de la Volta died in December 1470. Dati's successor was appointed on 6 October 1471. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 167.
^Buchi was appointed on 6 October 1471. He died in November 1479. Eubel, II, pp. 167-168.
^Passarella was a papal secretary. He was transferred to the diocese of Rimini on 17 September 1488. He died in September 1495. Eubel, II, pp. 95, 168.
^Simone Bonadies was appointed Bishop of Rimini by Pope Julius II on 10 February 1511. He died on 18 January 1519. Eubel, II, p. 168; III, p. 118.
^Ridolfi was the nephew of Pope Leo X and cousin of Pope Clement VII, who appointed him Administrator of the diocese of Imola on 4 August 1533. Pope Paul III's letter of appointment (Zaccaria, p. 180) of Girolamo Dandini specifically states that Ridolfi had only been Administrator. He was never a bishop, and thus could not be Bishop of Imola. He visited Imola from 1537 to 1538, following the assassination of Duke Alessandro de' Medici in Florence, taking possession of the diocese on 27 March 1537. He resigned on 17 May 1546 in favor of Cardinal Dandini, reserving a pension for himself from diocesan funds. He died on 31 January 1550. Zaccaria, II, pp. 177-178. Alberghetti, Parte seconda, p. 153. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, pp. 17 no. 35; 213.
^A native of Cesena, Dandini was born on 25 March 1509. He was a Protonotary Apostolic and secretary to Pope Paul III. From 1546 to 31 May 1548 Dandini was papal legate to King Francis I and then Henry II of France and to the Emperor Charles V, to attempt to arrange a peace. To give him standing, he was named Bishop of Imola, which was immediately subject to the Holy See, on 17 May 1546. He redecorated the cathedral and the episcopal palace. In 1551 he was again sent as legate to Charles V, and he therefore resigned the diocese of Imola in favor of his nephew on 11 May 1152. He was named a cardinal on 20 November 1551. On 3 April 1553, he was again appointed Legate to Charles V and Henry II. He died in Rome at his palazzo at San Marcello on 4 December 1559. Zaccaria, II, pp. 178-183. Alberghetti, Parte seconda, pp. 154-155. Eubel, III, pp. 33 no. 14; 213.
^Anastasio Dandini was the nephew of Cardinal Dandini, his predecessor. He was appointed as part of the transaction that brought about his uncle's resignation on 11 May 1552. At the time of his appointment as bishop, at the age of 35, he had risen to the post of Cellarmaster in his monstery, Santa Maria del Monte near Cesena. He held the office of bishop for six years, dying on 25 March 1558, at the age of 41. In the Sede vacante following his death, his uncle, Cardinal Dandini, resumed administration of the diocese. Zaccaria, II, pp. 183-184. Alberghetti, Parte seconda, p. 155.
^The Administrator, Cardinal Girolamo Dandini, died in Conclave, on 4 December 1559. Alberghetti, p. 155.
^Vitelozzi, who was only 28, was appointed shortly after the conclusion of the Conclave of 1559 and the Coronation of Pope Pius IV. He administered the diocese of Imola from 7 February 1560 to 24 October 1561. He was named Legate in Campagna and Marittima in 1560. He never visited Imola during his administratorshop. Alberghetti, pp. 155-156. Eubel, III, p. 213.
^Guarini, who was a familiaris of Cardinal Vitelli, was appointed Bishop of Imola on 24 October 1561 by Pope Pius IV. He made his formal entry into Imola in March 1562. He attended the Council of Trent in 1562 and 1563, and began putting its decrees into effect immediately, founding the diocesan seminary on 1 January 1567. Guarini was President of the province of Ravenna from 1566. He attended the provincial synod in Ravenna in 1568, after which he resigned his presidency. He died in Imola in 1569. Zaccaria, pp. 185-186. Alberghetti, p. 156. Eubel, III, p. 213.
^The brother of Pope Clement VIII, Giovanni was appointed Bishop of Imola on 26 August 1569, Aldobrandini was named a cardinal by Pope Pius V on 17 May 1570. He was named Major Penitentiary (the office of conscience) in the Roman Curia on 14 December 1572, which required his residence in Rome, and was then named Prefect of the Signature of Briefs in 1573. He therefore resigned the diocese of Imola on 9 February 1573. He died in Rome on 7 September 1573. Zaccaria, pp. 186-187. Alberghetti, p. 157. Eubel, III, pp. 44 no. 13; 213.
^Nephew of Pope Urban VII, Mellini had been named a cardinal on 11 September 1606. At the time he had been Archbishop of the titular see of Colossae (Rhodes), and had been on diplomatic service in Poland and France, and had served two years as papal Nuncio in Spain (1605–1607). He was appointed Bishop of Imola by Pope Paul V in the Consistory of 7 February 1607, and allowed to keep the title of Archbishop. In 1608 he was sent as papal Nuncio to reconcile the Emperor and his brother Matthias. In 1610 he was appointed papal Vicar General for the City of Rome. The Cardinal resigned the diocese of Imola on 17 June 1611, reserving for himself all of the episcopal income except 1,000 scudi, and retaining complete control over several castles in the diocese. He died in Rome on 2 October 1629. Manzoni, pp. 351-354. Zaccaria II, pp. 192-195. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, pp. 10 no. 5; 209.
^Paleotti was appointed by Pope Paul V on 27 June 1611. He died on 23 May 1619 (according to Zaccaria). Manzoni, pp. 354-360. Zaccaria II, pp. 195-198. Gauchat, p. 209.
^Ferdinando Millini was the illegitimate son of Cardinal Mellini's brother Paolo. He had been a Canon of the Vatican Basilica. He required a special dispensation super defectu aetatis (below the canonical age) for consecration as bishop, since he was only 21. He was named Bishop of Imola on 17 June 1619 by Pope Paul V. He died on 13 June 1644, at the age of 55. Manzoni, pp. 360-366. Gauchat, p. 209 with note 4.
^Theodoli had been the Auditor (4th senior official) in the Apostolic Camera (papal Finance ministry). He was named a cardinal by Pope Urban VIII on 13 July 1643, and appointed Bishop of Imola on 17 October 1644 by Pope Innocent X. He was consecrated a bishop in Rome by Cardinal Ciriaco Rocci on 27 December 1644. He held the diocese for only fifteen months, governing through a Vicar General, Paulus ab Hastis, resigning due to illness on 19 February 1646. He died in Rome on 27 June 1650. Manzoni, pp. 366-367. Zaccaria, p. 205-206. Gauchat, p. 26 no. 66; 209, with note 5.
^Coccini had previously been papal governor in Fano, Ancona, Benevento and Perugia. He was named Referendary and then Dean of the Tribunal of the Two Signatures by Pope Urban VIII; he was then appointed Bishop of Anglona (Kingdom of Naples) (1638–1646). On 19 February 1646 Pope Innocent X appointed him Bishop of Imola. He restored the dignity of Prior in the Cathedral Chapter. He died at Imola on 15 August. Manzoni, pp. 367-368. Zaccaria, p. 206 (giving the year of death as 1649). Gauchat, pp. 86, 209.
^Ghislieri submitted his resignation, due to age and ill health, on 4 July 1672. Zaccaria, pp. 209-210. Cappelletti, p. 230. Gauchat, p. 209.
^A native of Rome, Zani was the cousin of his predecessor, Bishop Francesco Ghislieri. He taught philosophy and theology in the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Nova in Rome, and became its Abbot. He was appointed Bishop of Imola by Pope Clement X on 12 September 1672, and was consecrated on 18 September. On entering his diocese, his priority was the recovery of all the rights and privileges which belonged to the Church and Bishop of Imola, which led to a long and acrimonious legal suit with the Consuls of the city of Imola. In 1673, then, he conducted a Visitation of the diocese, strictly correcting all irregularities, in a fashion which repeatedly caused serious offense. When he went to Rome for the Jubilee of 1675, he was denounced to the Pope, and was kept in Rome for some years during the inquiry. On his return he turned his attention to redocorating the Cathedral. Cappelletti, p. 230. Zaccaria, pp. 210-212. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 227 with note 3.
^A native of Piacenza, Dal Verme was the son of the Count of Sanguineto and the nephew of Cardinal Savo Millini. He had been Bishop of Fano from 1688 to 1696. He was made a cardinal by Pope Innocent XII in his first creation of cardinals on 12 December 1695 and named Bishop of Imola three weeks later, on 2 January 1696. He celebrated a diocesan synod in Imola. He was transferred to the diocese of Ferrara on 14 March 1701. He died in Ferrara on 12 January 1717, at the age of 76. Zaccaria, pp. 214-216. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 19 no. 5; 201 with note 6; 228 with note 4.
^Gualtieri was titular Archbishop of Athens and Papal Nuncio to France when he was named to the bishopric of Imola by Pope Clement XI on 21 November 1701; he was allowed to keep the title of 'Archbishop'. He returned from his nunciature in Paris and arrived in Imola in December 1706. He had been named a cardinal by Pope Clement on 17 May 1706, and on 29 June 1706 he was named Papal Legate in the Romandiola, with his seat at Ravenna. He was therefore nonresidential. He was transferred from Imola to the diocese of Todi on 14 October 1709. He died in Rome on 21 April 1728, at the age of 68. Zaccaria, pp. 216-217. Cappelletti, pp. 230-231. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 25 no. 10; 228 with note 5; 394.
^Accoramboni: Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 228 with note 7.
^Marelli: Zaccaria, pp. 225-228. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 243 with note 2.
^Bandi was the uncle of Pope Pius VI (Braschi). He was named a cardinal by his uncle on 29 May 1775, though the fact was not made public until 11 September 1775. Zaccaria, pp. 228-232. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 243 with note 3.
^Baluffi was born in Ancona in 1788, and studied at the seminary in Ancona. He obtained the degree Doctor in utroque iure from the University of Fano. He served as a priest in the diocese of Fano, becoming eventually a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter and pro-Vicar-General (1824–1833). On 29 July 1833 he was appointed Bishop of Bagnoregio, and was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Carlo Odescalchi. In September 1836 he was appointed Apostolic Internuncio to New Granada, with his headquarters at Bogotà, and at the same time Apostolic Delegate to Brazil. In 1842 he was recalled, and named Archbishop of Camerino. In 1845 he became Secretary of the Consistorial Congregation (now called the Congregation of Bishops) in the Roman Curia, and titular Archbishop of Perge (Turkey). On 21 September 1846 he was appointed Bishop of Imola, and allowed to keep the personal title 'Archbishop'. He was named a cardinal on 14 June 1847. Cardinal Baluffi died in Imola on 11 November 1866. Cenno necrologico del cardinale Gaetano Baluffi arcivescovo e vescovo d'Imola e iscrizioni funebri (in Italian). Imola: Tip. di I. Galeati e figlio. 1867. Martin Bräuer (2014). Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (in German). Berlin: De Gruyter. p. 35. ISBN978-3-11-026947-5.
^Born in Orvieto in 1815, Moretti was named Bishop of Comacchio on 17 December 1855, and was transferred to the diocese of Cesena on 23 March 1850. He was named Bishop of Imola on 27 March 1867. He was appointed Archbishop of Ravenna on 27 October 1871. Moretti was named a cardinal on 27 December 1877, and died on 6 October 1881. Annuario pontificio (in Italian). Roma: Tip. della Reverenda Camera Apostolica. 1870. p. 171. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 52, 168, 217, 320, 477. Martin Bräuer (2014). Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (in German). Berlin: De Gruyter. pp. 111–112. ISBN978-3-11-026947-5.
Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi (in Latin). Vol. Tomus VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Imola". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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