History
The name of Pistoia appears for the first time in history in connection with the conspiracy of Catiline (62 BC),[4] but it was only after the sixth century that it became important; it was governed, first, by its bishops, later by stewards of the Marquis of Tuscany. It was the first to establish its independence, after the death of Countess Matilda, and its municipal statutes were the most ancient of their kind in Italy.
Pistoia claims to have received the Gospel from Romulus of Fiesole, the first Bishop of Fiesole. There is no proof of this claim. Neither is there evidence of a 3rd century foundation of the diocese. The first documentary evidence of a Bishop of Pistoia, however, is c.492, though the name of this prelate is unknown.
In 998, the cathedral of Pistoia was dedicated in honor of Ss. Zeno, Rufinus and Felix, none of whom was a bishop of Pistoia.[5]
As early as 1409, Florence had asked for the creation of a diocese at Prato, on account of the dissensions of the collegiate church of Prato with the Bishops of Pistoia; and in 1460, it had been made a prelatura nullius,[jargon] and often given to some cardinal, in commendam.[jargon]
On 22 September 1653, Prato was made a diocese by Pope Innocent X through the bull Redemptoris Nostri, and united aeque principaliter,[jargon] with Pistoia.[6]
In the first half of the 20th century, both the populations and the commercial activities of Pistoia and of Prato had greatly increased. Explicitly recognizing these facts, on 25 January 1954, by virtue of the bull Clerus Populusque, Pope Pius XII separated the diocese of Prato from the diocese of Pistoia, which had up to then been united through having one and the same bishop, though maintaining separate diocesan structures.[7] Prato was to have its own bishop, and any adjustments which had to be made between the two dioceses were to be adjudicated by the Metropolitan, the Archbishop of Florence.
On 14 October 2023, with the appointment of Fausto Tardelli as bishop of Pescia, the Diocese of Pescia was united with the Diocese of Pistoia in the person of a single bishop.[8]
Chapter and cathedral
The cathedral, which was dedicated to S. Zeno, was originally administered by a Chapter, composed of twenty-two Canons, led by four ancient dignities; to these four were later added six more. The dignities included: the Archdeacon, the Dean, the Primicerius, the Treasurer, the Prior, the Sacristan, the Rector, and the Custos. At Pistoia the right of patronage over individual dignities was recognized: the Pandolfini of Florence over the Archdeaconate; the Panciatici over the Deanship; the Conversini over the Primicerius; the Bracciolini over the Treasurership; the Panciatici over the Priorate; the Alfarali over the Sacristan; the Gualfreducci over the Rectorate; and the Marchettae over the Custos.[9]
In 1667, Bishop Francesco Rinuccini (1656–1678) and the cathedral Chapter clashed over the right to appoint to vacant canonries, which were supposed to be done jointly by the bishop and Chapter. The matter was settled in an agreement of 27 September 1667, in which it was agreed that the bishop and the Chapter would make appointments alternately.[10]
In 1776 the Chapter of the cathedral of Pistoia was composed of eleven dignities and twenty-seven Canons. The Chapter of Prato was composed of five dignities (originally six: the Provost, the Primicerius, the Archpriest, the Archdeacon, the Dean, and the Treasurer) and twenty-six Canons.[11]
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.[12]
Bishop Thomas held a synod in 1322. Bishop Hermannus Anastasi (1307–1321) presided over a diocesan synod on 8 December 1308. He held another synod in 1313.[13] Bishop Baronto Ricciardi (1322–1348) held a diocesan synod on 7 September 1322, at which the bishop and synod ratified the decrees of the synods of Bishop Thomas and Bishop Ermanno Anastasi.[14]
Bishop Francesco Rinuccini (1656–1678) held a diocesan synod in Prato in 1662.[15] He held synods in Pistoia in 1662 and 1669.[16]
Bishop Gherardo Gherardi (1679–1690) held three diocesan synods in Pistoia, the third of which was celebrated on 21 May 1685.[17] Bishop Leone Strozzi, O.S.B. (1690–1700) held a diocesan synod in Pistoia in the cathedral on 19 September 1694.[18]
Bishop Michele Cortigiani (1703–1713) held a diocesan synod in the cathedral of Pistoia on 28 April 1707.[19] Bishop Colombino Bassi, O.S.B. (1715–1732) held a diocesan synod on 5 June 1721.[20]
In September 1786, Bishop Scipione de' Ricci (1780–1791) held a diocesan synod, and published the constitutions and decrees.[21] Eighty-five of the propositions in the decrees were condemned by Pope Pius VI in the bull Auctorem fidei of August 28, 1794, four of which were specifically labeled as heretical.[22]
