The town, then called Monsvici or Monteregale, was a part of the diocese of Asti until 1198, when it established itself as a commune.[4] The commune had a podestà.[5]
The diocese of Mondovi was established during the Great Schism by Pope Urban VI of the Roman Obedience, in the papal Bull, Salvator Noster of 8 June 1388.[6] On 26 June 1388, he established Mondovi as a civitas.[7] The city of Mondovì provided the bishop with an episcopal palace, next to the church of S. Antonio.[8]
The city, at first part of the Diocese of Asti, became the seat of a bishop, suffragan of the Archbishop of Milan, but, since 1515, the Archdiocese of Turin has been its metropolitan.[10] In 1817, the territory of Cuneo was detached from the See of Mondovì, making the diocese of Cuneo.
Cathedral and Chapter
The Cathedral of Mondovi is dedicated to S. Donato.[11] In the bull in which he created the diocese, Pope Urban VI says that he promotes the Collegiate Church of S. Donato into a cathedral church.[12] The cathedral was served by a Chapter, which, as Pope Urban says, is to have the same dignities with the same names as that of Asti, and ten canons with the same titles as those of the Chapter of Asti. The Chapter of Mondovì was made up of four dignities (the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, the Provost, and the Cantor) and eight Canons. There were also sixteen Chaplains.[13] The Pope, unfortunately, makes no mention of how the dignities and Canons are to be appointed or by whom. It is known that the first two bishops installed no Canons.[14] Statutes of the Cathedral Chapter of Mondovì were approved by the Chapter on 23 September 1480, and ratified by the Archdeacon of Turin, Guillermo Caccia, JUD and Protonotary Apostolic, the Apostolic Delegate.[15]
In 1577, Duke Emmanuel Philibert, faced with the need to fortify the city of Mondovì, announced that he needed the hilltop on which the Cathedral church of S. Donato had existed for many centuries. His plans also required the demolition of the churches of San Domenico (which belonged to the Dominican friars) and Sant'Antonio (which belonged to the Jesuits. After consultations with the Papal Nuncio in Turin, Gerolamo de'Federici, and all the parties concerned in Mondovì (the Bishop, Vincenzo Lauro, the Cathedral Chapter, and all of the religious orders), the plan was submitted to Pope Gregory XIII to transfer the seat of the bishop from S. Donato to the Franciscan church of San Francesco, and to move the Franciscans to Sant'Andrea. The Dominicans would be assigned the parish church of Carassone which had the title of San Giovanni di Lupazano. The Jesuits would be moved to the palazzo of Francesco da Ponte. On 15 March 1577 the Pope gave his consent, and the church of San Francesco became the Cathedral of Mondovì, under the title of S. Donato. The Franciscans were authorized to build a new church of San Francesco.[16] Bishop Lauro succeeded Bishop Gerolamo de'Federici as Papal Nuncio in Turin, and was made a cardinal by Gregory XIII in 1583.[17]
In 1835, the Chapter was made up of six dignities and fourteen Canons. The dignities were: Archdeacon, Archpriest, Provost, Cantor, Penitentiary and Theologus.[18] The Canon Penitentiarius and the Canon Theologus were added by Bishop Vincenzo Lauro in 1580 and 1584.[19]
The cathedral contains paintings by Giulio Romano, Cambiaso, and others. The residence of the bishop is one of the most impressive episcopal palaces in Italy. In the church of la Missione there are frescoes by the Jesuit Andrea Pozzo.[20]
Outside the city is the sanctuary of the Madonna del Pilone, dating from the fourteenth century, but finished later (1730–49). The palace of the counts of San Quintino contained the first printing-office in Piedmont, and was the seat of a university (1560–1719) founded by Duke Emmanuel Philibert, the first institution of its kind in Piedmont.[21]
Diocesan synods
A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, 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.[22]
Bishop Gerolamo Calagrano (1490–1497) held a diocesan synod in 1495, the statutes of which were published.[23] In 1573 Bishop Vincenzo Lauro presided at a diocesan synod.[24] On 15 September 1592 Bishop Giovanni Antonio Castruccio (1590–1602) held his second diocesan synod, and had the Statutes published.[25] Bishop Michele Casale held a diocesan synod in Mondovi on 1—3 September 1763.[26] Bishop Placido Pozzi held a diocesan synod on 16—18 September 1879.[27]
The diocesan Seminary was built by Bishop Vincenzo Lauro in 1573,[28] and rebuilt by Bishop Carlo Felice Sammartino in 1742.[29]
The Diocese of Mondovì maintains two lists of the parishes in the diocese, one arranged according to diocesan subdivisions, Le unità pastorale, the other giving pastoral assignments of clergy for the current five-year period.[62]
^His title in Latin was contra hereticam pravitatem in tota republica christiana Summus Inquisitor a S. Sede Apostolica specialiter deputatus. He held the post in Rome and administered his diocese through a Vicar, Bishop Gerolamo Ferragata. Grassi, II, p. 394.
^Bull of Pope Leo X, Hodie ex certis, 21 May 1515. Grassi, II, p. 358.
^"Cronaca de' vescovi di Monteregali", in the Libro Grosso del Capitolo, in: Grassi, II, p. 162: et insuper Collegiatam ecclesiam S. Donati in huiusmodi nova civitate sitam in cathedralem ecclesiam similiter erigimus et constituimus....
^Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 275 note 1. Ughelli, IV, p. 1085, states that there were ten Canons. Cf. Grassi, I, pp. 9-10, who says that as late as 1404 there was no Chapter as such; there was an Archpriest and probably several Canons.
^Grassi, II, p. 365: tamen idem episcopus, sequendo errorem primi, nullos instituit Canonicos, et sic eis non remisit molendina....
^Zavaglia was named Bishop of Mondovi on 26 June 1388. He had previously been named Bishop of Nice by Urban VI (Roman Obedience) in 1385. Bima, p. 131. Eubel, I, pp. 349, 364.
^Soglio was approved by Pope Boniface IX on 3 August 1403. Grassi, I, pp. 9-12. Eubel, I, p. 349.
^Fauzone had been Archpriest of the Cathedral Chapter of Mondovi. He was provided by Pope John XXIII on 6 September 1413. Grassi, II, pp. 212-213. Eubel, I, p. 349.
^Jacobus was appointed by Pope Martin V on 11 May 1425. He had been a monk of the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria in Pinerolo. On 6 June 1425 he was granted the privilege of being consecrated a bishop by any bishop of his choice. He died in 1429. Eubel, I, p. 349, with note 5.
^Guido de Ripa (or de Rupa) was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law), and was provided as Bishop of Mondavì by Pope Martin V on 18 May 1429. His successor was appointed on 29 July of the same year. The reason for de Ripa's replacement is unknown. Grassi, I, p. 16. Eubel, I, p. 349.
^Baume, the Prior of the Benedictine monastery of S. Robert (diocese of Grenoble), was named Bishop of Mondovì on 29 July 1429 by Pope Martin V. He was transferred to the diocese of Belley by Pope Eugene IV on 29 November 1438. Grassi, I, pp. 17-20; II, p. 216. Eubel, I, p. 349; II, p. 103.
^Segaudi had been Prior of S. Antonio of the order of S. Agostino in Vienne, when he was appointed Bishop of Belley (in Haute-Savoie, France) on 18 December 1437, but he was still Bishop-elect when transferred. Pope Eugenius IV conferred the diocese of Mondovi on Aimeric Segaudi by a bull of 28 November 1438. He died on 12 March 1470. Grassi, I, pp. 21-29; II, pp. 225-226. Eubel, II, pp. 103, 196.
^Fieschi was a member of the family of the Counts of Lavagna. He was appointed on 17 April 1470, and died in 1484, perhaps on 5 November (Grassi, I, p. 32). Grassi, I, pp. 30-37. Eubel, II, p. 196.
^Campione, a Savoyard nobleman and Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law). He had been President of the Senate of Turin, and was promoted to the post of Grand Chancellor of Savoy. He became a Protonotary Apostolic in the Roman Curia. He made his financial arrangements with the Apostolic Camera on 26 November 1484. He was transferred to the diocese of Geneva on 5 November 1490. He died on 29 June 1495. Grassi, I, pp. 38-40. Eubel, II, pp. 158, 196.
^Carolus de Rotariis (Rovero) was a familiaris of Pope Julius II. He was approved as Bishop of Mondovi on 28 March 1509. He took possession of the diocese by procurator on 12 October 1509, but was never installed in his See. He died at the Roman Curia, during the Fifth Lateran Council, in August 1512. Grassi, I, pp. 51-53. Cappelletti, XIV, p. 228. Eubel, III, p. 250 with note 3.
^On 17 November 1522 the Canons of the Cathedral of Mondovì met and elected a Vicar Capitular to govern the diocese during the Sede vacante. On the same day they elected as bishop Urbano di Miolano, Protonotary Apostolic. His name was submitted to Pope Adrian VI by the Duke of Savoy, and he approved the election on 19 January 1523. He died on 13 May 1523, according to Emanuele Morozzo, Le storie dell' antica città del Monteregale, Volume terzo. Grassi, I, pp. 61-62. Eubel, III, p. 250.
^Carolus de Camera was the son of Count Lodovico de Camera of Savoy and Countess Marguerite de Boulogne. He was brother of the Duke of Albania and Cardinal Philippe de Luxembourg. His appointment as Bishop of Mondovì was approved in Consistory on 15 May 1523 by Pope Adrian VI. He was still in office in 1550, when a document of 29 May 1550 refers to his Vicar General, Bartolommeo Grassi, who had the power to confer benefices. Pietro Giuseppe Mariani (1710). Secoli della città di Cuneo (in Italian). Mondovi: Vincenzo, e Gio: Francesco Rossi. p. 122. Gioffredo, IV, p. 522. Grassi, I, pp. 63-70. Cappelletti, p. 230. Eubel, III, p. 250.
^Ghislieri was named a cardinal by Pope Paul IV in 1557, and named head of the Roman Inquisition in 1558. Grassi, I, pp. 73-95. Cappelletti, pp. 230-231. Eubel, III, p. 250.
^Lauro was a native of Calabria. Ughelli, IV, pp. 1092-1095.
^Bertolano was a member of the family of the Counts of Toligno, and held the office of Protonotary Apostolic. He was approved as Bishop of Mondovì in the Consistory of 26 October 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. Ughelli, IV, pp. 1092-1095. Eubel, III, p. 250. Ughelli and Bima, p. 80, say that he died in Savona of poisoning; cf. Grassi I, pp. 127-128, who provides documentary evidence that Bertolano was buried in Carmagnola on 28 December 1587. On 7 January 1588 the Canons of Mondovì elected a Vicar Capitular.
^Castruccio had been Cantor in the Cathedral Chapter of Mondovì. He served as Vicar Capitular during the Sede vacante of 1587. His appointment as Bishop of Mondovì was approved in Consistory on 22 January 1590 by Pope Sixtus V. He died on 24 March 1602. Gioffredo, VI, pp. 45, 124. Mellano, pp. 245-250. Eubel, III, p. 250, with note 13.
^Argentero di Chieri was a member of the family of Argenteri Marchesi of Brezè and Counts of Bagnasco; his uncle was First President of the Camera Ducale. He had been Abbot of S. Benigno di Fruttuaria, and Vicar General of Turin. He was appointed to the diocese of Mondovì on 13 August 1603. He created the College of Chaplains in the Cathedral, and founded a convent of the Discalced Carmelites in 1619, the first in Piedmont. He died on 22 March 1630. Ughelli, IV, pp. 1095-1096. Gioffredo, VI, p. 141. Grassi, I, pp. 157-164. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 249 with note 3.
^A native of Turin, Ripa was the son of Agostino Conte di Giaglione nella Valle di Sufa, first Secretary and Councilor of Duke Carlo Emanuele. He had been a Referendary of the Two Signatures, and Abbot of Ss. Solutore, Adventore ed Ottaviano (diocese of Turin). He had been Governor of Todi (1621), of Città del Castello (1622), of Fano (1623), of the Provincia Marittma and Campagna (1626), and of Perugia and Umbria (1628). He was approved as Bishop of Mondovì by Pope Urban VIII in the Consistory of 19 January 1632. He died on 20 September 1641. Grassi, I, pp. 165-175. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 249, with note 3.
^Solaro: Grassi, I, pp. 176-182. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 249, with note 4.
^Beggiamo: Appointed, Archbishop of Turin on 21 August 1662. He died in October 1689. Grassi, I, pp. 183-190. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, pp. 249, with note 5; 329 with note 7.
^Giacinto Solaro was born in Moretta, the seat of the Counts of Moretta; he was the son of Emanuele, Marchese della Chiusa. He held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law), and had previously been Bishop of Nice (1659–1665); he was consecrated by Cardinal Antonio Barberini, juniore. He was transferred to the diocese of Mondovì by Pope Alexander VII on 23 April 1663, and made his solemn entry into Mondovì on 28 September 1663. He was a patron of the Jesuits, and built them a large new church in Mondovì. He resigned the diocese on 27 October 1667, and was named titular bishop of Patras (Greece) on 23 January 1668. Grassi, I, pp. 183-190. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, pp. 249, with note 6; p. 258 with note 6. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 309 with note 2.
^Trucchi: Bishop Trucchi was responsible for bringing the Fillipini (Oratorians) to Mondovì, with the blessing of Pope Innocent XII. Grassi, II, pp. 488-490. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 275 with note 3.
^Sammartino was born at Castelnuovo (diocese of Ivrea) in 1679, and was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law) of the University of Turin (1702). He became Vicar General of the diocese of Turin in 1710, where he served for thirty years. He was nominated Bishop of Mondovi by the King of Sardinia on 22 February 1741, and was preconised (approved) by Pope Benedict XIV on 17 April. He was consecrated in Rome on 25 April 1741 by the Pope. He died on 27 August 1753. Grassi, I, pp. 217-235. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 296 with note 2.
^Grassi, I, pp. 236-267. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 296 with note 3.
^Bull Circumspecta Romani Pontificis of Pope Clement XIII: Grassi, II, pp. 506-508. The addition included the territories of Niella, San Michele, Torre, Pamparato Cigliero, and Rocca Cigliero.
^Corte was born in the town of Dogliano (diocese of Saluzzo), and was a doctor of theology (Turin 1752). He had previously been a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Turin, and Bishop of Acqui (1773–1783). He was consecrated a bishop in Rome by Cardinal Francesco de Zelada on 19 September 1773. He was nominated by the King of Sardinia on 5 March 1783, and transferred to the diocese of Mondovì on 18 July 1783 by Pope Pius VI. He died on 25 December 1800. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, pp. 93 with note 4; 296 with note 4.
^Vitale was born of a patrician family in Mondovì in 1751, and obtained a doctorate in theology from the University of Turin in 1775, at the age of 24. His uncle, Giuseppe Maria Belletruti, was a Canon and then Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Mondovì. He was nominated bishop of Alba Pompeia by the King of Sardinia on 12 January 1791, and preconised by Pope Pius VI on 11 April 1791. He was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Hyacinthe Gerdil. He resigned on 29 May 1803, and was transferred to the diocese of Mondovì on 1 February 1805. He died on 11 May 1821. Cappelletti, XIV, p. 260. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 73 with note 5; VII, p. 271.
^Born in Saluzzo in 1767, Bullione was a member of the family of the Counts of Monale. He was confirmed by Pope Pius VII on 12 July 1824, and consecrated in Turin by the Archbishop on 19 September 1824. He died on 10 February 1842. Dizionario corografico degli Stati Sardi di terra Firma (in Italian). Vol. secondo, parte prima. Milano: Civelli. 1854. p. 554. Ritzler-Sefrin, VII, p. 272.
^B. Rossi (1901), Cenni biografici di S.Ecc.Mons. Placido Pozzi, Vescovo di Mondovì Mondovì: tip.Vescovile 1901 (in Italian).
Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica. Vol. Tomus 1 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. (in Latin) [Eubel was unacquainted with local Piedmontese documents, and is frequently unreliable]
Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 2016-07-06. (in Latin)
Gioffredo, Pietro (1839). Storia delle Alpi marittime (in Italian). Vol. IV. Torino: Stamperia Reale. Gioffredo, Pietro (1839). Vol. V. Gioffredo, Pietro (1839). Vol. VI.
