DIGNE, DIOCESE OF. – A city and the capital of the department of the Basses-Alpes in France; it is a suffragan of Aix. It comprises almost entirely the ancient dioceses of Sisteron, Riez, Senez, and Glandèves, notable portions of the suppressed dioceses of Embrun and Apt, and also of Gap and Aix. By decree of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation of 15 Feb. 1916, the bishop of Digne has united to his see the titles of Riez and Sisteron.
The diocese extends over 7,000 sq. km., with a population of 87,893 inhabitants. It is divided into 2 archdeaconries, subdivided into 6 deaneries which include 34 districts with 346 parishes. In the diocese there are 160 secular priests and some regulars. The Catholics number 75,000.
It is the ancient capital of the Bodinutii; the city was much afflicted by the plague of 1629.
The foundation of the church of Digne is attributed to SS. Domninus and Vincent, though it cannot be demonstrated that they were bishops, any more than the following: Pentadius at the beginning of the 6th century, Hilary in the middle of the same century, Heraclius, signatory of the Councils of 573 at Paris and in 581 and 583 at Mâcon, down to Bledricus at the end of the 9th century.
The present Cathedral, dedicated to St. Jerome, is a church of the 15th century, rebuilt in the 19th.
The ancient cathedral of Digne, Notre-Dame-du-Bourg, of the 13th century, with paintings from the 15th–16th centuries, is today the church of the cemetery. In 1862 beneath its high altar was discovered the ancient altar composed of a marble block 1 m. in height by 0.85 in width, 0.60 in depth; at the four corners it had small columns adorned with acanthus leaves (now destroyed), and on the front the monogram cross (G. Rohault de Fleury, *La Messe*, I, Paris 1888, p. 153, pl. 41).