CALTANISSETTA, DIOCESE OF. — In Sicily, erected by Gregory XVI (25 May 1844) with jurisdiction over 17 towns, previously part of the dioceses of Agrigento (14), Nicosia (2), and Cefalù (1). The first bishop was the Theatine A. M. Stromillo, preconized on 7 November 1844. Upon his death in 1858, he was succeeded by G. Guttadauro of Rebordone from Catania (August 1858 – April 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, however, he gave prompt assent after the vote. After Msgr. I. Zuccaro (1896–1906), the diocese was governed by the Carmelite A. A. Intreccialagli, first as titular bishop (1907–1913), then as apostolic administrator until the arrival of the current prelate (1949), Msgr. G. Iacono, transferred from Molfetta on 18 March 1921.
The diocese has an area of 120,700 km²; it counts 175 diocesan priests, 40 regular priests, and 200,000 Catholic inhabitants, distributed across 30 parishes. The cathedral of S. Maria la Nuova, begun in 1570 and opened for worship in 1622, was adorned inside with the splendid and large frescoes by the Fleming G. Borremans, which constitute its principal glory. 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 1533.