The diocese of Trieste was suffragan of the Patriarchate of Aquileia until 1751.[4] The ecclesiastical province of Aquileia was subject to repeated troubles, both internal and external, due partly to the fact that the eastern dioceses of the province (Istria) were politically subject to Austria, while the western dioceses (Veneto) were subject to the Venetian Republic. Both powers had repeated clashes with the Papacy in policy and administration.[5] The War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) produced a crisis, since both Venice and the Papacy supported Charles Albert of Bavaria,[6] while Austria supported Maria Theresa, daughter of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. The Austrian government retaliated by sequestering all church benefices in its territories.[7] At the conclusion of the war, both Austria and Venice demanded a resolution of the ecclesiastical problems.
Pope Benedict, in letters of 29 November 1749 and 27 June 1750, invited the two parties to come to an agreement, while for the moment the present arrangements would remain in effect. On 6 April 1751, replies from Austria and Venice were presented to the pope, in the form of a convention between the parties, with the demand that the pope implement it.[8] The patriarchate of Aquileia was abolished, as Article I of their convention required, and was replaced by two ecclesiastical provinces and two archbishoprics on equal footing: Udine and Gorizia. Benedict XIV granted the empress of Austria and her successors the right to nominate the archbishop of Gorizia, and the doge of Venice and his successors the right to nominate to a vacancy at Udine.[9] The diocese of Trieste was transferred to the ecclesiastical province of Gorizia.[10]
From 1788, a series of administrative changes took place in northeastern Italy. The bishop of Pedena, Aldrago Antonin de Piccardi had been transferred to the diocese of Senj e Modruš (Croatia) on 14 February 1785, and was not replaced. On 20 August 1788, diocese of Pedena, was suppressed, and its territory was added to that of Gradisca.[11] Under pressure from Emperor Joseph II, Pope Pius VI then abolished the diocese of Trieste and Archdiocese of Gorizia in 1788, merging them into the new diocese of Gradisca.[12] On 12 September 1791, at the request of Joseph's brother, Emperor Leopold II, Pope Pius VI divided the diocese of Gradisca into the newly created diocese of Gorizia-Gradisca, or Görz-Gradisca,[13] and a re-established diocese of Trieste,[14] appointing as its bishop the tutor of the Emperor's children, Sigismund Anton, Count of Hohenwart.[15] At the same time, the pope confirmed the right of the emperors to nominate to a vacancy in the diocese of Trieste.[16] Later attempts were made to suppress the see again, but the emperor decreed its preservation, nominating Ignatius Cajetanus von Buset zu Faistenberg bishop of Trieste on 12 February 1796.[17] After his death in 1803 the see remained vacant for eighteen years, because of the disorders caused by the French Revolutionary Republic, the Italian republics and kingdom of Napoleon, the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, and the imprisonment of Pope Pius VII from 1809 to 1815.
Emperor Franz II finally appointed Antonio Leonardis da Lucinico as the new bishop of Trieste on 4 March 1821, and he was confirmed by Pope Pius VII on 13 August 1821.[18] But the Emperor and Clemens von Metternich continually resisted the efforts to establish a concordat with the Papacy.[19]
On 20 June 1828, by the papal bull "Locum Beati Petri", Pope Leo XII completed the project which had been begun by Pius VII, the reorganization of the dioceses of the Italian peninsula, Istria, and Dalmatia, whose existence had been interrupted or compromised by the French intrusions. He first suppressed a number of dioceses in Istria and Dalmatia, including Aemonia.[20] The Slovenian diocese of Koper, or Capodistria-Koper, was united with Trieste.[21] Thereafter it was known as the "Diocese of Trieste-Koper (Capodistria)".[22]
Bishop Bartholomew Legat was present at the Synod of Vienna in April 1849, when the Austrian Episcopal Conference was founded.[23] He also defended the views of the minority in the First Vatican Council (1869–1870). In 1909 Bishop Franz Xaver Nagl was appointed coadjutor cum jure successionis to the ninety-year-old Cardinal Prince-Archbishop Anton Gruscha of Vienna.
The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses.[24]Pope Paul VI had been working for some time to implement the council's decree. The diocese of Trieste e Capodistria was in an anomalous position, with part of its territory in Italy, and part in the Slovenian Socialist Republic of Yugloslavia. On 27 October 1977, by virtue of the Apostolic Constitution "Prioribus saeculi XIX annis," Koper / Capodistria was restored[25] as an independent diocese once more, being transferred to the ecclesiastical province of Ljubljana from that of Gorizia, and leaving the diocese of Trieste in its present state.[26]
^Innocent XII had supported Charles, but during the war Benedict XIV switched allegiance to Maria Theresa, though he changed back to Charles, and finally returned to Maria Theresa.
^J.N.D. Kelly & M.J. Walsh, Oxford Dictionary of Popes, second edition (OUP 2010), p. 301.
^Pope Benedict XIV, "Injuncta Nobis", Sanctissimi Domini nostri Benedicti papae XIV bullarium,pp. 43-47: "...partes ipsae olim dissentientes, nostris invitationibus et hortationibus obsecundantes, diligentibus tractatibus et colloquiis habitis, convenerunt; cuius Conventionis exempla... Nobis relinquientes, earumdem Partium nomine Nobis humiliter supplicarunt, ...approbationis nostrae robur adjicere, necnon pro earumdem rerum executione Apostolicae autoritatis nostrae plenitudinem interpontere dignaremur.".
^"Injuncta Nobis", Sanctissimi Domini nostri Benedicti papae XIV bullarium,pp. 52 § 12: "...praedictae Mariae Theresiae Reginae in Imperatricem Electae, ejusque successoribus in perpetuum, add praefatum Goritiensem Archiepiscopatum per Nos, ut praeferetur erectum tam pro prima hac vice, quam quoties perpetuis futuris temporibus ipsum vacare contigerit, jus nominandi Nobis...."
^Bullarii Romani Continuatio, Vol. 9 , p. 59, § 14.
^ Bishop von Buset was confirmed by Pope Pius VI on 27 June 1796. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 397 with note 6. David M. Cheney, Catholic-hierarchy.org, [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbuset.html "Bishop Ignatius Cajetanus von Buset zu Faistenberg;"[self-published source]
^Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 362.
^Bullarii Romani continuatio Tomus decimus septimus (17) (Romae 1855), p. 375 §3: pariterque Aurerensis, Arbensis, Amoniensis in litore Adriatico perpetuo supprimimus et extinguimus."
^Bullarii Romani continuatio, p. 378, § 18: Dioecesis ecclesiae episcopalis Tergestinae praeter eam qua nunc gaudet, complectetur universam Justinopolitanae ecclesiae dioecesim, quae eidem concathedrali est attributa, necnon dioecesis Amoniensis territorium.
^It also included the titular diocese of Aemona (Cittanova), and one parish transferred from Gorizia and eleven from the diocese of Parenta.
^J.-B. Martin & L. Petit (edd.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, (in Latin and German), (Paris: Hubert Welter 1910), pp. 323-404, esp. p. 393.
^In its decree Christus Dominus, section 22, it stated: "Concerning diocesan boundaries, therefore, this sacred synod decrees that, to the extent required by the good of souls, a fitting revision of diocesan boundaries be undertaken prudently and as soon as possible. This can be done by dividing dismembering or uniting them, or by changing their boundaries, or by determining a better place for the episcopal see or, finally, especially in the case of dioceses having larger cities, by providing them with a new internal organization.... At the same time the natural population units of people, together with the civil jurisdictions and social institutions that compose their organic structure, should be preserved as far as possible as units. For this reason, obviously, the territory of each diocese should be continuous."
^"Nunc vero propter mutata rerum temporumque adiuncta, expedit ut dioecesis Iustinopolitana in illum statum redeat in quo usque ad annum MDCCCXXViii versata est."
^Acta Apostolicae Sedis Vol. 69 (Città del Vaticano 1977), pp. 689-691.
^Severus: Paul the Deacon, History of the Langobards III. 26. Lanzoni, p. 805.
^Firminus rejected the heretical Three Chapters, and with the consent of his clergy reestablished communion with Pope Gregory I. Lanzoni, p. 865. Kehr VII. 2, p. 210.
^Bishop Gaudentius subscribed the synodical letter (Epistola III) of Pope Agatho sent to the Roman emperors Constantine, Heraclius, and Tiberius in Constantinople. J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, (in Latin), Vol. 11 (Florence: A. Zatta 1765), p. 311. Cappelletti VIII, p. 681. J.P. Migne, Patrologiae Latinae Tomus LXXXVII (Paris 1863), p. 1241.
^Joannes is mentioned in a bull of Pope Gregory III (731–741). Cappelletti VIII, p. 681.
^Bishop Giovanni was transferred to the Patriarchate of Grado. He was murdered by the Venetians in 801. Gams, p. 791, col. 1. Cappelletti VIII, pp. 681-682.
^Mauritius: Kandler (1847), Pel fausto ingresso..., unpaginated. Cappelletti VIII, p. 682 (copied from Kandler).
^Taurinus was the recipient of the gift of two castles from King Berengar of Italy on 27 June 911. Cappelletti VIII, pp. 683.
^Herinicius is mentioned in a document of 1114, but Bishop Hartwig was in office from 1106 to at least 1115. "Herinicius" is a misreading. Schwartz, p. 42, note 4.
^Dietmar had been archdeacon of Bressanone, and was a friend of Patriarch Pellegrino of Aquileia, whom he assisted at the consecration of the church of S. Giorgio in Verona in 1140. Cappelletti VIII, pp. 686-687. Schwartz, pp. 42, note 4; 43.
^Wernardus (Guarnardus, Venerandus, Bernardus): Cappelletti VIII, pp. 687-688.
^Henricus: Cappelletti VIII, p. 688. Gams, p. 319.
^Liutoldus (Litoldus): Ughelli V, p. 578. Cappelletti VIII, p. 688.
^The election of Woscalcus by the canons and clergy of Trieste was obstructed by Gotifridus, Patriarch of Aquileia. The case reached the court of Pope Clement III, who, on 10 May 1192, assigned the case of Patriarch Gotifridus and bishop-elect Woscalcus to the bishops Marcus of Castellaneta and Araldus of Cluj for judgment. Kehr VII. 2, pp. 210-211, nos. 4-6. Cappelletti VIII, p. 688.
^Henricus: In 1201, Pope Innocent III ordered several prelates to compel the bishop-elect of Trieste to be consecrated a bishop, or else to deprive him. Eubel I, p. 477 with note 1.
^Kandler (1869), Documenti di principi..., "Anno 1217" (unpaginated): Conradus was still bishop-elect in July 1217. On 27 March 1218, Pope Honorius III warned the bishop to have himself consecrated: Eubel II, p. xxxix.
^Bishop Wernardus is attested in 1232, and died on 18 April 1234. Eubel II, p. xxxix.
^Attested as dead on 13 July 1237: Eubel II, p. xxxix.
^Brisa had been a canon of Cividale. He was confirmed Bishop of Trieste by Patriarch Raymond of Aquileia on 19 April 1287. The latest notice of Bishop Brisa occurs on 20 November 1298. Cappelletti VIII, p. 693-694.
^Giovanni della Torre (or Dalle Torri): Cappelletti VIII, p. 694. Eubel I, p. 477.
^Rodulfus: Cappelletti VIII, pp. 694-695. Eubel I, p. 477.
^Following the death of Bishop Rodulfus, the cathedral Chapter met, but in discord they produced two candidates for the office of bishop: Justus, the Archdeacon of Trieste; and Guido of Villalta, a Canon of the cathedral of Aquileia. The matter was taken to the court of the metropolitan, the Patriarch of Aquileia, but after several hearings, Archdeacon Justus appealed the case to the pope. After discussion in consistory, Pope John XXII appointed two cardinals to deal with the case, but they both died, and two other cardinals were appointed. Some time after the appointment of an administrator for the diocese in 1324, the Archdeacon left the papal court without authorization, thereby abandoning his plea. Agostino Theiner, Vetera monumenta Slavorum meridionalem historiam illustrantia, (in Latin), Vol. 1 (Rome: Typis Vaticanis 1863), p. 164.
^Bishop Gregory of Feltre was appointed administrator of the diocese of Trieste on 5 July 1324, by Pope John XXII. He died in 1327, before September. Eubel I, p. 477.
^Bishop Guillermus (Franchi) had been Bishop of Sagona (Corsica) from 1323. He was appointed bishop of Trieste by Pope John XXII on 25 September 1327. He died in 1330. G. Mollat, Jean XXII. Lettres communes,(in Latin), Vol. 7 (Paris: E. de Boccard 1919), p. 22, no. 29933. Eubel I, pp. 428, 477.
^Pope John XXII had reserved the appointment of all bishops in Italy to himself. He providerd (appointed) the Dominican Pax de Vedano on 18 May 1330, following the death of Bishop Guillermus. He died on 12 August 1341. G. Mollat, Jean XXII. Lettres communes,(in Latin), Vol. 9 (Paris: E. de Boccard 1929), p. 321, no. 49669. Eubel I, p. 477.
^On 27 October 1441, Frederick III wrote to the Dean and Chapter of Trieste following the death of Bishop Martinus, that they should elect a prudent and circumspect person who was favorable to him as their bishop. Nicholas had been Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Trieste. He was elected, but also appointed by Pope Eugenius IV on 29 November 1441. He died on 4 April 1447. Kandler, Documenti dei principi..., [p. 49]. Eubel II, p. 247.
^Piccolomini was named bishop of Trieste on 19 April 1447, by Pope Nicholas V. On 23 September 1450, Piccolomini was transferred to the Diocese of Siena. Eubel II, p. 247.
^Stefano Di Brazzano (2005), Pietro Bonomo (1458-1546), diplomatico, umanista e vescovo di Trieste: la vita e l'opera letteraria,(in Italian), Parnaso, 2005.
^On 4 November 1558, Paragues was appointed Archbishop of Cagliari. He died c. 1572. Eubel III, p. 146.
^Bogarino: Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 330.
^Delmestri was born in the village of Cormoni (diocese of Aquileia) in 1672. He obtained a doctorate in theology and philosophy from the Roman Seminary. He became Archdeacon of Gorizia. He had been coadjutor of Bishop Miller from 11 May 1718 to 1720, with the titular bishopric of Amyclae (Peloponnese). He succeeded to the episcopal throne on the death of Bishop Miller of 23 April 1720, and died himself on 19 February 1721. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 371 with note 5.
^Count Leopold Von Petaz had been canon and then Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Ljubljana, then Archpriest and Archdeacon of Carnio and Abbot of Seplak (Hungary). He was nominated bishop of Trieste by Charles III of Spain, in his capacity as Archduke of Austria, on 27 August 1740; he was confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV on 30 September 1740. A. Marsich, Archeografo Triestino Vol. 11 (1885), p. 366. On 15 December 1760, Petazzi was confirmed Bishop of Ljubljana. Cappelletti VIII, p. 713. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 397 with note 2.
^Von Heberstein: Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 397 with note 3.
^Following the death of Bishop von Herberstein, on 24 April 1775 Pope Pius VI appointed (provided) Count Franz von Inzaghi bishop of Trieste. On 15 December 1788, Von Inzaghi was transferred to the diocese of Gradisca. A. Marsich, Archeografo Triestino Vol. 11 (1885), p. 370. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 397 with note 4.
^On 25 September 1791, Pope Pius VI notified the Chapter of Trieste that the bishopric had been restored, and that Count Sigismund von Hohenwart had been named the new bishop. On 12 September 1794, Von Hohenwart was confirmed Bishop of Sankt Pölten. A. Marsich, Archeografo Triestino Vol. 11 (1885), p. 371. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 397 with note 5.
^A native of Carniola, Von Buset had studied at the German College in Rome. He had been Provost of Pisino, and pro-Vicar General of the diocese of Pedena. In 1791, he became a canon of Trieste, then Provost, then Vicar General and Vicar Capitular. Cappelletti VIII, pp. 714-715. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 397 with note 6.
^During the long vacancy, the church of Trieste was administered by several vicars capitular. Cappelletti VIII, p. 715. Gams, p. 320, col. 2.
^Leonardis was appointed by Pope Pius VII on 13 August 1821. He died on 14 January 1830. Ritzler & Sefrin, Hierarchia Catholica VII, p. 362.
^On 5 July 1875, Pope Pius IX transferred the Bishop of Parenzo e Pola, Giorgio (Juraj) Dobrilla to the diocese of Trieste e Capodistria. BIshop Dobrilla died on 13 January 1882. A. Marsich, Archeografo Triestino Vol. 11 (1885), p. 373.
^Bishop Nagl was confirmed on 19 January 1901, by Pope Leo XIII as Coadjutor Archbishop of Vienna. He was named a Cardinal by Pope Pius X on 27 November 1911. He died on 4 February 1913. Martin Bräuer, Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter 2014), p. 218.
^Guido Botteri, Luigi Fogàr, (in Italian), Roma: Edizioni Studio Tesi, 1995.
^A native of the diocese of Trieste, Ravignani was appointed Bishop of Vittorio Veneto in 1983. He was transferred to Trieste by Pope John Paul II on 4 January 1997.
Cuscito, Giuseppe (1988). La diocesi di Trieste: note storiche. (in Italian). [Documenti della chiesa di Trieste, Vol. 18]. Trieste: Diocesi di Trieste 1988.
Kandler, Pietro (1829). Duomo di Trieste.(in Italian). Archeogr. Triest., 1829.
