Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Avignon
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Avignon is an Archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman 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
. The current archbishop
is Jean-Pierre Marie Cattenoz, who was appointed in 2002.
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, e 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.
(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.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The diocese exercises jurisdiction over the territory embraced by the department of Vaucluse
Vaucluse
The Vaucluse is a department in the southeast of France, named after the famous spring, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.- History :Vaucluse was created on 12 August 1793 out of parts of the departments of Bouches-du-Rhône, Drôme, and Basses-Alpes...
, in the Region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur or PACA is one of the 27 regions of France.It is made up of:* the former French province of Provence* the former papal territory of Avignon, known as Comtat Venaissin...
. The current archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
is Jean-Pierre Marie Cattenoz, who was appointed in 2002.
Established in the 4th century as the Diocese of Avignon, the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
was elevated to an Archdiocese in 1475, with the suffragan
Suffragan bishop
A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:...
sees
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
of the diocese of Carpentras
Ancient Diocese of Carpentras
The former French catholic diocese of Carpentras was suppressed after the French Revolution, by the Concordat of 1801. Its territory was added to the archdiocese of Avignon.-Bishops:*c. 280: Saint Valentin*482–529: Julien I.*529–536: Principius...
, the diocese of Vaison
Ancient Diocese of Vaison
The Ancient Diocese of Vaison was a Roman Catholic diocese in France, suppressed in 1801.-History:St. Albinus was incorrectly placed by the Carthusian Polycarpe de la Rivière among the bishops of Vaison. The oldest known bishop of the see is Daphnus, who assisted at the Council of Arles in...
, and the diocese of Cavaillon
Ancient Diocese of Cavaillon
The former French diocese of Cavaillon existed until the French Revolution. Its see at Cavaillon, in southern France, is in the modern department of Vaucluse.After the Concordat of 1801, the territory of the diocese passed to the diocese of Avignon.-Bishops:...
. By the Concordat of 1801
Concordat of 1801
The Concordat of 1801 was an agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, signed on 15 July 1801. It solidified the Roman Catholic Church as the majority church of France and brought back most of its civil status....
these three dioceses were united to Avignon, together with the diocese of Apt
Ancient Diocese of Apt
The former French Catholic diocese of Apt, in south-east France, existed from the fourth century until the French Revolution. By the Concordat of 1801, it was suppressed, and its territory was divided between the diocese of Digne and the diocese of Avignon...
, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Aix. At the same time, however, Avignon was reduced to the rank of a bishopric
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
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
Roman Catholic Diocese of Viviers
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Viviers is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. Erected in the 4th century, the diocese was restored in the Concordat of 1822, and comprises the department of Ardèche, in the Region of Rhône-Alpes. Currently the diocese is a suffragan of...
(restored in 1822); diocese of Valence
Roman Catholic Diocese of Valence
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Valence is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in southern France.. The contemporary diocese is co-extensive with the department of Drôme.-To 1000:* Emilia * Sextius * Maximus I...
(formerly under Lyon); diocese of Nîmes
Roman Catholic Diocese of Nîmes
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nîmes, is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The diocese comprises all of the department of Gard. It is suffragan of the diocese of Avignon....
(restored in 1822); and diocese of Montpellier
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montpellier
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montpellier is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in south-western France. It was probably created in the 3rd century AD. The current Archbishop is Pierre-Marie Carré; the immediate past Archbishop Emeritus is Guy Marie Alexandre Thomazeau...
(formerly under Toulouse
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toulouse
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toulouse, is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The diocese comprises the Department of Haute-Garonne...
).
On 16 December 2002, the see [officially Archdiocese of Avignon (-Apt, Cavaillon, Carpentras, Orange, e Vaison)] lost its Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
status and became instead a suffragan see of Marseille
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Marseille
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Marseille, is a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The Archepiscopal see is in the city of Marseille, and the diocese comprises the arrondissement of Marseille, a subdivision of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône in...
. 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 PaulPaul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
(according to certain traditions the son of Simon of Cyrene
Simon of Cyrene
Simon of Cyrene was the man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus as Jesus was taken to his crucifixion, according to all three Synoptic Gospels...
) 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
Nectarius
Nectarius may refer to:* Nectarius of Auvergne , martyr at Auvergne* Nectarius of Constantinople , Archbishop of Constantinople* Nectarius of Jerusalem , Patriarch of Jerusalem...
, 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
Pope Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV , born Francesco della Rovere, was Pope from 1471 to 1484. His accomplishments as Pope included the establishment of the Sistine Chapel; the group of artists that he brought together introduced the Early Renaissance into Rome with the first masterpiece of the city's new artistic age,...
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.
To 1000
- 70: Saint Ruf
- c. 96: Carus
- c. 134: Ygilius
- 202–219: Ebulus
- 219–230: Johannes I
- 230–257: Asterius
- 257–264: Secundinus
- 264–281: Saint Amat
- 281–298: Coedicius
- 298–324: Primus
- 324–326: Frontinus
- 326–329: Aventinus
- 329–363: Regilius
- 363–372: Antistius
- 372–390: Justus
- 390–414: Stephanus
- 414–429: Johannes II.
- 429–437: Debo
- 437–449: Julius
- 449–455: Maximus I
- 455–464: Donatus
- 464–475: Saturninus
- 475–498: Elotherus
- 498–516: Julianus
- 516–523: Salutaris
- 523–533: Eucherius
- 533–548: Ermenius
- 548–564: Antoninus
- 564–587: Johannes III.
- 587–595: Valeus
- 595–627: Dynamius
- 627–630: Saint Maximus II
- 630–646: Edmond
- 646–660: Saint Magne
- 660–700: Saint Agricol
- 700–720: Saint Veredème
- 720–760: Johannes IV
- 760–765: Alfons
- 765–795: Joseph I
- 795–796: Amicus
- 796–822: Humbert
- 822–835: Rémi I
- 835–854: Fulcherius (I)
- 854–860: Ragenutius
- 860–878: Hilduin
- 878–898: Ratfred
- 898–911: Rémi II
- 911–940: Foulques (or Fulcherius II)
- 949–955: Florent
- 955–976: Landry
- 976–996: Vernerius
- 996–1002: Lauderius
1000 to 1474
- 1002–1005: Pierre I
- 1005–1037: Heldebert
- 1037–1038: Senioret
- 1038–1050: Benedict I
- 1050–1080: Rostaing I
- 1080–1104: Albert
- 1104–1110: Aubert
- 1110–1126: Rostaing II
- 1126–1146: Laugerius
- 1146–1150: Maxime III (or Maximus)
- 1150–1164: Geoffroy I
- 1164–1171: Artaud
- 1171–1173: Pierre II
- 1173–1174: Geoffroy II
- 1174–1176: Raymond I
- 1176–1179: Pontius
- 1179–1180: Pierre II (again)
- 1180–1197: Rostaing III de Marguerite
- 1197–1209: Rostaing IV
- 1209–1226: Guillaume I de Montelier
- 1226–1227: Pierre III
- 1227–1232: Nicolas
- 1232–1233: Bermond
- 1233–1234: Bertrand I
- 1234–1238: Bernard I
- 1238: Benedict II
- 1238–1240: Bernard II
- 1240–1261: Zoen TencarariZoen TencarariZoen Tencarari was an Italian canon lawyer, papal vice-legate, and bishop of Avignon from 1240 to about 1261. He taught at the University of Bologna, where in 1256 he founded a college. He glossed the Compilatio quinta, and brought Henry of Segusio to the see of Sisteron.He was a strong opponent...
- 1261–1264: Etienne I
- 1264–1268: Bertrand de Saint-MartinBertrand de Saint-MartinBertrand de Saint-Martin was a French cardinal.He entered the Order of Benedictines and by 1238 was dean of the abbey of Saint-André de Villeneuve at Avignon. In 1248 he was elected bishop of Fréjus. In 1264 he was transferred to the see of Avignon, and in 1266 to the metropolitan see of Arles...
- 1268–1270: Robert I d'Uzès
- 1270–1271: Jean I
- 1271–1272: Raymond II
- 1272–1287: Robert II
- 1291–1300: André de Languiscel
- 1300–1310: Bertrand III. Aymini
- 1310: Guillaume II de Maudagot
- 1310–1313: Jacques Duèze, later Pope John XXII
- 1313–1317: Jacques II de Via
- 1317–1334: John XXII (again)
- 1335–1349: Jean II de Cojordan
- 1349–1352: Clement VI
- 1352–1362: Innocent VI
- 1362–1366: Anglicus Grimoard
- 1366–1367: Urban V
- 1367–1368: Philippe de Cabassole
- 1368–1373: Pierre IV d'Aigrefeuille
- 1373–1391: Faydit d'Aigrefeuille
- 1391–1394: Clement VII (antipope)
- 1394–1398: Benedict XIII (antipope)
- 1398–1406: Gilles de Bellamere
- 1410–1412: Pierre V de Tourroye
- 1412–1415: Simond de Cramaud
- 1415–1419: Guy I de Roussillon-Bouchage
- 1419–1422: Guy II Spifame
- 1422–1432: Guy III de Roussillon-Bouchage
- 1432–1438: Marc Condulmero
- 1438–1474: Alain de CoëtivyAlain de CoëtivyAlain de Coëtivy was a French prelate from a Breton noble family. He was bishop of Avignon, Uzès, Nîmes and of Dol, titular cardinal of Santa Prassede, then cardinal-bishop of Palestrina and cardinal-bishop of Sabina....
Archbishops
- 1474–1503: Giuliano della Rovere (Archbishop from 1475)
- 1504–1512: Antoine Florès
- 1512–1517: Orlando Carretto della Rovere (Orland de Roure)
- 1517–1535: Hippolyte de' Medici
- 1535–1551: Alessandro Farnese the Younger
- 1551–1562: Annibale Bozzuti (Annibal Buzzutto)
- 1566–1576: Félicien Capitone
- 1577–1585: Georges d'ArmagnacGeorges d'ArmagnacGeorges d'Armagnac was a French humanist, patron of arts, Cardinal and diplomat deeply embroiled in the Italian Wars and in the French Wars of Religion.-Biography:...
- 1585–1592: Domenico Grimaldi
- 1592–1597: François-Marie Thaurusi (Francesco Maria Tarugi)
- 1598–1609: Jean-François Bordini
- 1609–1624: Etienne II Dulci
- 1624–1645: Marius Philonardi
- 1645–1646: Bernard III Pinelli
- 1647–1648: César Argelli
- 1649–1669: Dominique de Marini
- 1669–1672: Azzo Ariosto
- 1673–1684: Hyacinthe Libelli
- 1684–1689: Alexandre II Montecatini
- 1691–1706: Laurent-Marie Fieschi
- 1706–1717: François Maurice Gonteri (Gontier)
- 1742–1756: Joseph II Guyon de Crochans
- 1756–1774: François I Manzi
- 1774–1790: Charles-Vincent Giovio
- 1793–1794: François-Régis Rovère
- 1798: François II Etienne
- 1802–1817: Jean-François Périer
- 1821–1830: Etienne-Parfait-Martin Maurel de Mons
- 1831–1834: Louis-Joseph d'Humières
- 1834–1842: Célestin Dupont (Jacques-Marie-Antoine-Célestin du Pont) (also Archbisop of Bourges)
- 1842–1848: Paul Naudo
- 1848–1863: Jean-Marie-Mathias Debelay
- 1863–1880: Louis-Anne Dubreuil
- 1880–1884: François-Edouard Hasley (also Archbishop of Cambrai)
- 1885–1895: Louis-Joseph-Marie-Ange Vigne
- 1896–1907: Louis-François Sueur
- 1907–1928: Gaspard-Marie-Michel-André Latty
- 1928–1957: Gabriel-Roch de Llobet
- 1957–1970: Joseph-Martin Urtasun
- 1970–1978: Eugène-Jean-Marie Polge
- 1978–2002: Raymond BouchexRaymond BouchexRaymond Joseph Louis Bouchex was the Roman Catholic archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Avignon, France....
- 2002–present: Jean-Pierre Marie Cattenoz