Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Avignon explained

Jurisdiction:Archdiocese
Avignon
Latin:Archidioecesis Avenionensis
Local:Archidiocèse d'Avignon
Country:France
Province:Marseille
Metropolitan:Archdiocese of Marseille
Area Km2:3,578
Population:554,000
Population As Of:2012
Catholics:405,100
Catholics Percent:73.1
Parishes:179
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Established:4th Century
Cathedral:Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame des Doms
Patron:Notre-Dame
St. Agricola of Avignon
Bishop:François Fonlupt
Bishop Title:Archbishop
Suffragan:for one -->
Archdeacon:for one-->
Emeritus Bishops:Jean-Pierre Cattenoz
Website:Website of the Archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Avignon (Latin: Archidioecesis Avenionensis; French: Archidiocèse d'Avignon) is a Latin archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. The diocese exercises jurisdiction over the territory embraced by the department of Vaucluse, in the Region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It is named for the prefecture of Avignon. The diocese has been led since January 2021 by Archbishop Georges Pontier, whom Pope Francis called out of retirement to serve as Apostolic Administrator.[1]

Established in the 4th century as the Diocese of Avignon, the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese in 1475, with the suffragan sees of the Diocese of Carpentras, the Diocese of Vaison, and the Diocese of Cavaillon. By the Concordat of 1801 these three dioceses were united to Avignon, together with the Diocese of Apt, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Aix. At the same time, however, Avignon was reduced to the rank of a bishopric and was made a suffragan see of Aix.

The Archdiocese of Avignon was re-established in 1822, and received as suffragan sees the Diocese of Viviers (restored in 1822); Diocese of Valence (formerly under Lyon); Diocese of Nîmes (restored in 1822); and Diocese of Montpellier (formerly under Toulouse).

On 16 December 2002, the see – officially Archdiocese of Avignon (-Apt, Cavaillon, Carpentras, Orange, and Vaison) – lost its Metropolitan status and became instead a suffragan see of Marseille. In 2009 its name was changed to Archdiocese of Avignon, the secondary titles being suppressed.

History

There is no evidence that either Saint Rufus, disciple of Saint Paul according to certain traditions the son of Simon of Cyrene, or Saint Justus, likewise held in high honour throughout the territory of Avignon, was venerated in antiquity as bishop of that see. The first bishop known to history is Nectarius, who took part in several councils about the middle of the fifth century. Saint Agricol (Agricolus), bishop between 650 and 700, is the patron saint of Avignon.

In 1475 Pope Sixtus IV raised the diocese of Avignon to the rank of an archbishopric, in favour of his nephew Giuliano della Rovere who later became Pope Julius II.

Bishops

To 1000

1000 to 1474

Archbishops

See also

Sources

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 12 January 2021 . Pope appoints retired bishop to heal divided French diocese . La Croix International . 12 January 2021 . Christophe . Henning.

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