DECENTIUS, bishop of GUBBIO. — His memory is linked to the famous letter that Pope Innocent I sent to him in 416, in response to certain questions. Some wished to introduce new usages and rites into the liturgy; D. turned to the Pontiff, who replied with a solemn and official document from which one can learn about ecclesiastical customs in the 5th century regarding the liturgy, the organization of churches, the discipline of the secret (disciplina arcani), the authority of bishops, the instruction of the clergy, etc.
BIBL.: Jaffé-Wattenbach, 311; G. Malchiodi, La lettera di s. Innocenzo I a D. vescovo di Gubbio, Roma 1921; Lanzoni, p. 481.