BOIANO-CAMPOBASSO, DIOCESE of. — B., a small town at the foot of a northern spur of the Matese, in the center of ancient Samnium and modern Molise, in the province of C. Livy records it as a flourishing Samnite city; occupied by the Romans in 314, it became a colony and municipium (Bovianum Undecimanorum). Christianity in B. is attested by an undated Christian inscription (CIL, IX, 2584). With the Lombard invasion, it became part of the duchy of Benevento as a gastaldato. In the 11th century it came under Norman rule. Frequent earthquakes and a violent fire, caused by Frederick II in 1221, brought about its ruin; as a result, from the 13th century onward, the population began to decline to the advantage of nearby C. The origin of the bishopric is uncertain. It is probable that Laurentius, who took part in the Roman Synods of 501 and 503, was bishop of B. The regular list of bishops begins only in the 12th century. The present diocese, suffragan of Benevento,
includes municipalities in the provinces of C. and Benevento. It has 100,000 inhabitants, all Catholics, 46 parishes served by 68 diocesan priests and 24 religious priests (1948). The Cathedral, erected by a Rodolfo, count of Boviano, and consecrated in 1215 by Bishop Poliziano, is dedicated to S. Bartolomeo. It was restored and adorned in 1572 by Bishop Cardinal Carlo Carafa, but was damaged by the last war.
The episcopal see was transferred, on 29 June 1927, to C., given the greater importance of this city, where the oldest churches are those of the Most Holy Trinity, now the cathedral, and of S. Leonardo, both dating from the 13th century.
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