The first bishop of whom there is certain record is Paolo in 1376. In 1428 Martin V united the small diocese of Dagno (certainly in existence since 1361) with that of Sarda (in existence at least since 1199). Innocent VIII then united in 1491 the two dioceses of Sarda and Dagno with that of S., constituting it a suffragan of Bar. On 22 Apr. 1887 it passed to that of Shkodër. In 1643 the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide established an apostolic vicariate there, and by decree of 23 Feb. 1644 transferred the archbishop of Bar to the see, after which the diocese was always governed by bishops. The most celebrated bishop of S. was Giorgio III Blanco (1623-35, 1644-47), who liberated his homeland from the Turks. By decree of 24 June 1930 the episcopal residence was transferred from Nënshat to Laç. The diocese depends on the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide and is currently without a pastor. Due to the present conditions in Albania, it is impossible to obtain exact statistical data.
In 1940, over an area of 1,270 sq. km., there were about 16,000 Catholics served by 27 secular priests and 7 Franciscans.