Roman Catholic Diocese of Pienza explained

The Diocese of Pienza (Latin: Dioecesis Pientinus) was a Roman Catholic diocese located in the town of Pienza in the province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany between the towns of Montepulciano (fifteen km distant) and Montalcino. Until 1462, the town was known as Corsignano. It took the name Pienza from its most famous native son, Pope Pius II (Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini), who elevated the town to the status of a city (civitas), and established the new diocese. The diocese existed as an independent entity from 1462 to 1772, directly subject to the Holy See (Papacy).[1] [2]

History

The architect chosen to carry out Pius II's plans to construct Pienza was Bernardo Rossellino.[3] The change in name of Corsignano was carried out by the Senate of Siena, at the suggestion of Pope Pius, on 1 June 1462.[4] On 29 August 1462, the Feast of the cutting off (decollazione) of the head of John the Baptist, the completed cathedral was dedicated by Cardinal Guillaume d'Estouteville, Bishop of Ostia, though the Pope personally dedicated the high altar.[5] The cathedral was named the Cathedral of the taking up of the body (Assumption) of the Virgin Mary into heaven. The edifice was damaged by the large earthquake of 26 November 1545, and the apse began to subside, a problem which persists to the present day.[6]

In April 1473, Bishop Tommaso della Testa Piccolomini presided over the first diocesan synod held in Pienza.[7]

On 23 May 1594, Pope Clement VIII separated the two dioceses of Pienza and Montalcino.[8]

On 15 June 1772, in the bull "Quemadmodum", Pope Clement XIV united the dioceses of Chiusi and Pienza.[9]

Bishops

Diocese of Pienza e Montalcino

Erected: 13 August 1462
Latin Name: Pientia et Mons Ilcinus

Diocese of Pienza

1528: Split into the Diocese of Pienza and the Diocese of Montalcino
Latin Name: Pientinus

15 June 1772: United with the Diocese of Chiusi to form the Diocese of Chiusi e Pienza

See also

Books

Studies

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cheney . David M.. Diocese of Pienza . Catholic-Hierarchy.org. June 16, 2018.
  2. Web site: Chow . Gabriel. Diocese of Pienza (Italy) . GCatholic.org. June 16, 2018.
  3. Mack, pp. 32-35.
  4. Mack, pp. 41-42.
  5. Mannucci, p. 16.
  6. Mannucci, pp. 19-20. Kees van der Ploeg (1987), "A Note on Rossellino's Design for Pienza Cathedral," Simiolus: Netherlands Quarterly for the History of Art, Vol. 17, No. 1 (1987), pp. 38-40.
  7. Chironi, p. 180, note 29.
  8. Book: Luigi Mezzadri. Maurizio Tagliaferri. Elio Guerriero. Le diocesi d'Italia. III. 2008. San Paolo. Cinisello Balsamo. it. 978-88-215-6172-6. 955.
  9. Book: Giuseppe Chironi. L'archivio diocesano di Pienza: inventario. Pubblicazioni degli Archivi di stato / Ministero per i beni culturali e ambientali., Strumenti, 141. . 2000. Ministero per i beni e le attività culturali, Ufficio centrale per i beni archivistici. Roma. it. 978-88-7125-170-7. 26. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 171, note 1.
  10. A member of a noble Sienese family, Chinugi had been papal Master of Ceremonies, and then Bishop-elect of Chiusi (from 6 April 1462). He was transferred to the new seat of Pienza by Pope Pius II (Piccolomini) on 7 October 1462, and the seat which he vacated in Chiusi was given to Gabriele Piccolomini, O.Min.Obs. Bishop Giovanni died on 30 September 1470. Cappelletti, p. 620. Eubel II, pp. 131-132; 216.
  11. Eubel II, p. 216. (in Latin)
  12. Eubel III, p. 212. (in Latin)
  13. Book: Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi . Gauchat. Patritius (Patrice). IV. 280. 1935. Libraria Regensbergiana. Münster. (in Latin)
  14. Book: Hierarchia catholica medii et recentioris aevi . Ritzler. Remigius. Sefrin. Pirminus. V. 314. 1952. Messagero di S. Antonio. Patavii. (in Latin)