Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotor
Encyclopedia
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
, Montenegrin
Montenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
and Serbian
Serbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: Kotorska biskupija) is a 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...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
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 the Bay of Kotor
Bay of Kotor
The Bay of Kotor in south-western Montenegro is a winding bay on the Adriatic Sea. The bay, sometimes called Europe's southernmost fjord, is in fact a submerged river canyon of the disintegrated Bokelj River which used to run from the high mountain plateaus of Mount Orjen...
area in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. It is centered in the city of Kotor
Kotor
Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
(Cattaro). It was erected as a diocese in the 10th century.
The diocese's cathedral is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in Kotor is one of two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro. It is the seat of the Croatian Catholic Bishopric of Kotor which covers the entire gulf, currently led by Bishop Mons...
in Kotor. Ilija Janjić currently serves as bishop in the diocese.
About 10,000 of the 85,000 people on the territory of the diocese (approximately 12% of the total population) are Catholic, according to the Church's estimation.
History
The first documented bishop of Cattaro was Paulus, who participated in the Council of ChalcedonCouncil of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
in 451. The next mention of the Diocese of Cattaro was 530, when it is mentioned as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Salona
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Split-Makarska
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Split-Makarska is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in Croatia. The diocese was established in 3 century AD and was made archidiocese and metropolitan see in 10 century. Modern diocese was erected in 1828, when the historical archdiocese...
(Solun). The late Antiquity era, relatively the early Christian origin of the bishopric of Cattaro, is testified by an early Christian baptistery from the late 5th or early 6th centuries, discovered in an archeological examination of the Church of Saint Maria of Rijeka (Crkva sv. Marije od Rijeke) following the 1979 earthquake where the probable foundations of the first cathedral in Cattaro was discovered with remains, such as the cathedra
Cathedra
A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
and ciborium from the 6th century.
John, a bishop of Cattaro, was certainly mentioned in the acts of the Second Council of Nicaea
Second Council of Nicaea
The Second Council of Nicaea is regarded as the Seventh Ecumenical Council by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic Churches and various other Western Christian groups...
in 787. John was also mentioned in 809 in epigraphical inscriptions found in Cattaro. Bishops of Cattaro were mentioned in Ecclesiastical Assembly of Spalatum
Split (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
in 925 and 928, during the reign of King Tomislav. Only a fragmental list of the bishops before the 11th century were preserved. Afterward, since 1090 till present-day, a complete list has existed, beginning with bishop Grimoald, of Lombard
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
origin.
A Pontifical
Pontifical
Pontifical may refer to the Roman Pontifical, a Roman Catholic liturgical book used by a bishop.When used as an adjective, Pontifical may be used to describe things related to the office of a bishop, such as the following:*Solemn Pontifical Mass...
and Lectionary
Lectionary
A Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Judaic worship on a given day or occasion.-History:...
of the Bishopric is kept in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
. This artifact testifies that Cattaro remained under the jurisdiction of the Western Church following the Great Schism of 1054
East-West Schism
The East–West Schism of 1054, sometimes known as the Great Schism, formally divided the State church of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively...
. In 1025, Pope John XIX
Pope John XIX
Pope John XIX , born Romanus, was Pope from 1024 to 1032.He succeeded his brother, Pope Benedict VIII , both being members of the powerful house of Tusculum...
issued a papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
in which Cattaro became a suffragan of the Diocese of Canusium
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto
The archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Apulia, southern Italy, created in 1986, when the historical archdiocese of Bari was united to the diocese of Bitonto.-History:...
(Canosa
Canosa
Canosa di Puglia is a town and comune in Apulia in southern Italy, between Bari and Foggia, located in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, not far from the position on the Ofanto River where the Romans found refuge after the defeat of the Battle of Cannae...
). In 1063, Pope Alexander II
Pope Alexander II
Pope Alexander II , born Anselmo da Baggio, was Pope from 1061 to 1073.He was born in Milan. As bishop of Lucca he had been an energetic coadjutor with Hildebrand of Sovana in endeavouring to suppress simony, and to enforce the celibacy of the clergy...
issued a papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
in which Cattaro is also mentioned as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Barium
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto
The archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Apulia, southern Italy, created in 1986, when the historical archdiocese of Bari was united to the diocese of Bitonto.-History:...
(Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...
), previously known as the Diocese of Canusium. In 1067, the diocese became subjected to the Archdiocese of Dioclea-Antivari
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bar
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bar is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Montenegro. It is centred in the city of Bar . It was erected as a diocese in the 9th century and elevated to an archdiocese in 1089...
. Then, in 1078, the diocese became subjected to the Archdiocese of Ragusa
Roman Catholic Diocese of Dubrovnik
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dubrovnik is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southern Croatia. The diocese is centred in the city of Dubrovnik. It was first erected in 990...
(Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
), only to be returned under the control of Antivari in 1089. In 1120, the diocese of Cattaro was returned under the control of Dubrovnik. Between 1172 and 1828, the diocese was under the control of the Archdiocese of Barium. From 1828 to 1932, the diocese became a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Zadar
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar takes its name from its episcopal see, the city of Zadar, in Croatia.-History:Zadar has been a Roman Catholic diocese in Dalmatia since AD 381 and, since 1146, an archdiocese. Its succession of bishops numbers over eighty without noteworthy interruption....
. From 1932 to 1969, it became directly subjected to the Holy See
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...
. However, from 1969, the diocese of Cattaro has been a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Split-Makarska
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Split-Makarska is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in Croatia. The diocese was established in 3 century AD and was made archidiocese and metropolitan see in 10 century. Modern diocese was erected in 1828, when the historical archdiocese...
.
Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the borders of the diocese reached the Danube. Under the diocesan jurisdiction were: Prizren
Prizren
Prizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
, Janjevo, Novo Brdo
Novo Brdo
Novo Brdo is a town and municipality in the Pristina district of eastern Kosovo. The population of the municipality is estimated at 6,720 people .-History:...
, Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar is a city and municipality located in southwest Serbia, in the Raška District. According to the official census in 2011, number of inhabitants of municipality is 92,776, while the city itself has a population of 60,638...
, Brskovo
Brskovo
Brskovo is a village in northern Montenegro, within the Municipality of Mojkovac which used to have silver mines and a mint...
, Golubac
Golubac
Golubac is a village and municipality in north-eastern Serbia, on the right side of the Danube river. It is bordered by Romania to the east, Veliko Gradište to the west and Kučevo to the south...
, Brvenik
Brvenik
Brvenik is a village in the municipality of Raška, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 67 people.-References:...
, Plana
Plana
Plana may refer to:* plural of Latin word Planum used in planetary geology* Planá is name of several locations in the Czech Republic* Plana Peak in Antarctica* Plana Cays in the Bahamas* Plana in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, Mačva
Macva
Mačva is a geographical region in Serbia, mostly situated in the northwest of Central Serbia. It is located in a fertile plain between the Sava and Drina rivers. The chief town of this region is Šabac. The modern Mačva District of Serbia is named after the region, although the region of Mačva...
, Trepča
Trepça
- Basketball Hall :The club currently plays in the sport and youth center "Palestra e Sporteve Minatori", in the center of Mitrovica, with a capacity for around 3500 spectators.- Roster :-Notable players:- External links :**...
, Trgovište (Târgovişte
Târgoviste
Târgoviște is a city in the Dâmbovița county of Romania. It is situated on the right bank of the Ialomiţa River. , it had an estimated population of 89,000. One village, Priseaca, is administered by the city.-Name:...
) and Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
. In the 16th century, Tripo Bisanti, Bishop of Cattaro, signed himself as the Bishop of Serbia ("Totius Serviae"). In 1880, the parishes of Spič
Spic
Spic is an ethnic slur used in the United States for a person of Hispanic background.-Etymology:Some in the United States believe the word is a play on their pronunciation of the English "speak."...
, Šušanj
Šušanj
Šušanj is a small town in Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the town has a population of 2,212 people. The town is located about a kilometre from Bar and its beaches are popular with local residents and tourists. During summer months the town is full of tourists staying in tourist...
and Brca
BRCA
BRCA can refer to one of several things:*BRCA1 and BRCA2, a pair of genes involved in breast cancer. See BRCA mutation*British Radio Car Association – an organisation governing all types of radio controlled car racing in the United Kingdom....
, which had originally belonged to the Archdiocese of Antivari, was transferred to the Diocese of Cattaro by the decision of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities...
.
The first patron of the diocese was Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
, who was later replaced by Saint Tryphon, whose relics were brought to Cattaro on 13 January 809. A church dedicated to Saint Tryphon was built in the early 9th century by Andrea Saracenis, a citizen of Cattaro.
Geography
The Diocese of Kotor borders the village of SutorinaSutorina
The village of Sutorina and surrounding territory, including a short stretch of the Adriatic coast was named after the little vale of the river Sutorina west of Herceg Novi...
(Municipality of Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a coastal town in Montenegro located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. It is the administrative center of the Herceg Novi Municipality with around 33,000 inhabitants...
) to the west. To the east, the diocese borders the river of Željeznica
Željeznica
The Željeznica is a river in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The river Željeznica rises at the foot of the Treskavica Mountain, in the beautiful and attractive forest ambiance, has a number of rapids and whirlpools. There, on Željeznica River, upstream from Turovi Village, is a beautiful and rare natural...
near the city of Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
(Antivari). The diocese encompasses the settlements of Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is a coastal town in Montenegro located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. It is the administrative center of the Herceg Novi Municipality with around 33,000 inhabitants...
, Kotor
Kotor
Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
, Tivat
Tivat
Tivat is a coastal town in southwest Montenegro, located in the Bay of Kotor...
, Risan
Risan
Risan is a town in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro...
, Perast
Perast
Perast is an old town in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It is situated a few kilometres northwest of Kotor.- Geography :...
, Dobrota
Dobrota
Dobrota is a town in the Kotor Municipality in coastal Montenegro. Although administratively a separate town, it is de facto part of Kotor, and encompasses most of Kotor's residential area, while town of Kotor administratively encompasses town's historical core...
, Prčanj
Prčanj
Prčanj is a small town in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the town has a population of 1244 people.It is located 3 miles west of Kotor, opposite Dobrota and between the settlements of Muo and Stoliv. All its history has been written at sea...
, Bijela
Bijela
Bijela is a coastal town within the municipality of Herceg Novi, Montenegro. It is located north of Herceg Novi, by the Verige strait of the Kotor Bay...
, Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
and Sutomore
Sutomore
Sutomore is a small coastal town in Bar Municipality, Montenegro. A 2003 census put the population at 1,827.-History:...
.
The territory of the Diocese corresponds to that of the historical region Albania Veneta
Albania Veneta
Venetian Albania was the name for the possessions of the Venetian Republic in southern Dalmatia that existed from 1420 to 1797. It originally covered the coastal area of what is now northern Albania and the coast of Montenegro, but the Albanian and southern Montenegrin parts were lost to the...
since 1571.
Bishops
- Paulus (ca. 451 - ????)
- Grimoald (1090 - ????)
- Adam (Adam of Aquitaine) (1349 - 31 July 1352)
- John (Giovanni Chieregati) (1493–1513)
- Tryphon (Tripo Bisanti) (1513–1540)
- Nicholas (Nikola Bjanković) (1695–1715) - Apostolic AdministratorApostolic AdministratorAn apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
- Marcus (Marco Antonio Gregorina) (28 September 1801 - 9 June 1815)
- Vincent (Vincenco Zubranić) (7 April 1854 - 19 June 1856)
- Marcus (Marco Calogera) (19 June 1856 – 29 October 1866)
- George (Đorđe Marčić) (22 June 1868–1879)
- Casimir (Casimiro Forlani) (12 May 1879–1887)
- Tryphon (Trifon Radoničić) (1888–1895)
- Francis (Francesco Uccellini) (18 June 1895 – 4 June 1937)
- Paul (Pavao Butorac) (5 January 1938 - 22 November 1966)
- Marcus (Marko Perić) (29 April 1981 - 5 June 1981)
- John (Ivo GugićIvo GugicBishop Ivo Gugić was a Croatian Roman Catholic priest who served as a bishop in the diocese of Kotor in Montenegro. For the time being, little is known of the man here on Wikipedia....
) (22 November 1983 – 11 March 1996) - Elijah (Ilija Janjić) (11 March 1996–Present)