MURO LUCANO, DIOCESE of. — Town and diocese in the province of Potenza. Over an area of 510.38 sq. km., it has a population of 35,000 inhabitants, all Catholics, 14 parishes, and 38 diocesan priests (Ann. Pont., 1951, p. 281).
The establishment of the episcopal see dates back to the 11th century, as a suffragan of Conza, under whose jurisdiction it still remains. The first bishop, Eustachius, is attested in 1059, present at the consecration of the church of S. Angelo near Melfi, performed by Niccolò III. He was followed by Gaudino, attested between 1100 and 1108, who took part in the consecration of the church of S. Sabino at Canosa, in the presence of Pasquale II; Roberto, who attended at Conza the consecration of the Cathedral performed by Archbishop Erberto (1169); then Monteguidoni (1215), Giovanni (1217), etc.
During the schism of the antipope Clement VII, the bishop Antonio, elected by Gregorio XI, went over to the antipope’s side and, following the assassination of Queen Giovanna I, arbitrarily withdrew to Polsino, both out of fear of reprisals and because of the protection offered him by the lord of the place. Clement VII naturally hastened to transfer the diocese (1386), and Antonio therefore called himself bishop of Polsino from then until 1389; after that year, however, silence descends upon his activity and his fate. In 1540, following the transfer to Trivento of the Florentine Matteo Grifoni, a Vallombrosan (elected in 1528), Paolo III entrusted the diocese of M. L. in administration to Cardinal Ascanio Parisani, who governed it for one year. Among the subsequent prelates, the figure of Alfonso Pacelli, a native of Balvani, in the same diocese (1674–1702), stands out for his apostolate on behalf of the Chapter, the community, and the episcopal residence.
MONUMENTS. — Christian monuments of M. L. are scarce. The only noteworthy one is the Cathedral, dedicated to Maria s.ma Assunta. Romanesque in origin (ca. 1009), it was damaged by the earthquake of 1684 and by a fire in 1707, and was almost entirely rebuilt in 1725 at the expense of Benedetto XIII. Of some merit are the episcopal chair (1631), richly carved, and a painting dated 1589, known as “the painting of Queen Giovanna.” It in fact depicts all the figures who acted at the time of the Clementine schism, namely Giovanna I, Clemente VII, Carlo V, Carlo VI, Bishop Antonio, and Ottone di Brunswick, who is kneeling before the Virgin and Child and the Sts. Domenico and Caterina.
A mile from M. L. stands the small Romanesque church of S. Maria delle Grazie at Capitignano, the work of Magister Sarolus of M. (late 12th–early 13th century). Besides noteworthy remains of its original structure, it preserves some fine Latin marble pieces, including a cylindrical altar, two lions, and various bucani.