Caltanissetta, Diocese of

CALTANISSETTA, DIOCESI di. - In Sicily, erected by Gregory XVI (25 May 1844) with jurisdiction over 17 municipalities, until then forming part of the dioceses of Agrigento (14), Nicosia (2), Cefalù (1). The first bishop was the Theatine A. M. Stromillo, preconized on 7 Nov. 1844. Having died in 1858, he was succeeded by G. Guttadauro di Reburdone from Catania (Aug. 1858 - Apr. 1895), who was the true organizer of the diocese; he took part in the Vatican Council and was among the few who voted against the opportuneness of proclaiming papal infallibility, to which, moreover, he made an act of prompt adherence once it had been proclaimed. After Msgr. I. Zuccaro (1896-1906) the diocese was governed by the Carmelite A. A. Intrecicalagli, first as titular bishop (1907-1913), then as apostolic administrator until the arrival of the present pastor (1949), Msgr. G. Iacono, transferred from Molfetta on 18 March 1921.

The diocese has an area of 120,700 sq. km.; it numbers 175 diocesan priests, 40 regular priests, 200,000 inhabitants, all Catholic, distributed among 30 parishes. The cathedral of S. Maria la Nuova, begun in 1570 and opened for worship in 1622, was decorated inside with the splendid and large frescoes of the Fleming G. Borremans, which constitute its principal merit. Besides S. Maria degli Angeli or la Vetere (14th century), particularly important is the Norman abbey of S. Spirito outside the city, founded by Roger I and his wife Adelasia, whose church was consecrated by Archbishop Giovanni of Bari in 1153.

Mario Scaduto