LUCEORIA (LUCK), DIOCESE of. – City and diocese in Poland, suffragan of Leopoli. The diocese was founded in 1358 by Innocent VI, but with the episcopal see at Włodzimiers Wołyński, and was confirmed in 1375 by Gregory XI. Its first bishop was Pietro Domenicano. In 1428 Bishop Andreas Sptawski transferred the see to Łuck. From the beginning of the sixteenth century, the bishops bore the title of Łuck and Brześć, because they often resided in the latter city. In 1797 the diocese was united with that of Żytomierz, to which the episcopal see was also transferred in 1844; but on 28 October 1925 it returned to Łuck, since the bishopric of Żytomierz had once again been established.
At present the entire diocese is under Soviet occupation. In 1939 it numbered 398,000 Catholics, 185 parishes, 246 diocesan priests, and 15 religious priests. Eminent bishops: Gregorio Domenicano (d. 1425); Jerzy Falczewski (d. 1548); Wiktorjan Wierzbicki, who convoked the first synod (d. 1588); Paweł Algimunt prince Holszański, later bishop of Wilma, participated in the Lateran Council in 1512 (d. 1535); Bernard Maciejowski, later primate and cardinal (1548-1608); Marcin Szyszowski (1554-1630); Henryk Firlej, later primate of Poland (d. 1626); Aleksander Lipski, later bishop of Cracovia and cardinal (1690-1745); Franciszek Kobielski (d. 1755); Adam Stanisław Naruszewicz, bishop of Smoleńsk, historian and poet (1733-96).
THE RUTHENIAN BISHOPRIC AT WŁODZIMIERS WOŁYŃSKI. – The “Orthodox” bishopric was founded there in the eleventh century, and its first bishop was Stefan (d. 1094). After the Union with Rome of 1595-96, the first united bishop was Hipacy Pociej, metropolitan of Kiev (1541-1613). In 1795, after the third partition of Poland, the bishopric was suppressed by Tsarina Catherine II.
THE RUTHENIAN BISHOPRIC AT ŁUCK. – The “Orthodox” bishopric was founded there in 1327, and its first bishop was Teodozjusz. He and his successors bore the title of bishops of Łuck and Ostróg and of “exarchs of all Ruthenia.” After the Union with Rome of 1595-96, the first united bishop was Cyryl Terlecki (d. 1607). In 1826 the bishopric came under Russian rule and was suppressed by Emperor Nicholas I.