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St. Mercurialis is considered the first bishop of Forlì, and has been said to belong to the second century; he is also said to be the Mercurialis who was allegedly present at the Council of Rimini in 359. Both assertions are based on legends of the 11th or 12th century.
On 12 July 1173, a major fire destroyed nearly all of the city of Forlì, including the episcopal palace, the cathedral with its annexes, the other churches, and the monastery of S. Mercuriale, which housed the archives. In 1353, another large fire destroyed the district of S. Mercuriale in Forlì and damaged large parts of the rest of the city.
On 8 July 1286, Archbishop Bonifacio Fieschi de' Conti di Lavagna of Ravenna presided over a provincial council, held in Forlì. It was attended by the bishops of Imola, Faenza, Forlimpopoli, Ceseena, Sarsina, Adria, and Bishop Rinaldus of Forlì, as well as procurators of the bishops of Bologna, Cervia, Modena, and Parma.
In 1769, the Cathedral of the cathedral of the Holy Cross was staffed and administered by a Chapter, consisting of four dignities (not dignitaries) and nineteen Canons. The dignities were: the Provost, the Archpriest, the Archdeacon, and the Primicerius."
Bishop Giacomo Theodoli (1635–1665) held his second diocesan synod in Forlì on 5 May 1639. He had previously held a synod, at some time between 1635 and 1639. Bishop Claudio Ciccolini (1666–1688) held a diocesan synod on 22 April 1675.
Consolidation of dioceses
The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses. These considerations applied to Forlì and Bertinoro. Forlì claimed a Catholic population of 178,000, with 112 priests. Bertinoro, in 1980 had only 37,650 Catholics, but 64 priests.
On 18 February 1984, the Vatican and the Italian State signed a new and revised concordat. Based on the revisions, a set of Normae was issued on 15 November 1984, which was accompanied in the next year, on 3 June 1985, by enabling legislation. According to the agreement, the practice of having one bishop govern two separate dioceses at the same time, aeque personaliter, was abolished. This applied to Bishop Giovanni Proni, who had been Bishop of Bertinoro since 10 March 1970, and at the same time Bishop of Forlì since 9 June 1976.
Instead, the Vatican continued consultations which had begun under Pope John XXIII for the merging of small dioceses, especially those with personnel and financial problems, into one combined diocese. On 30 September 1986, Pope John Paul II ordered that the dioceses of Forlì and Bertinoro be merged into one diocese with one bishop, with the Latin title Dioecesis Foroliviensis-Brittinoriensis. The seat of the diocese was to be in Forlì, and the cathedral of Forli was to serve as the cathedral of the merged dioceses. The cathedral in Bertinoro was to become a co-cathedral, and the cathedral Chapter was to be a Capitulum Concathedralis. Bertinoro which was established in 1360, has its own unique history. It was created after the destruction of Forlimpopoli by Cardinal Albornoz. There was to be only one diocesan Tribunal, in Forlì, and likewise one seminary, one College of Consultors, and one Priests' Council. The territory of the new diocese was to include the territory of the former diocese of Bertinoro.
^Lanzoni, pp. 767-768: "Le leggende posteriori, puro prodotto di fantasia, fanno di s. Mercuriale un albanese, e lo abbassano al tempo dei Goti (secolo v); mentre il secondo gruppo delle leggende gaudenziane (v. Rimini) assegna s. Mercuriale al tempo del conciliabolo di Rimini (an. 359). Mi sembra saggio attenerci alle leggende più antiche."
^Constitutiones et decreta synodalia a Jac. Theodolo Archiep. emanata in Synodo an. 1639. Forolivii: ex typ. Cimattior., 1639. (in Latin)
^Dioecesanae synodi Forolivien. decreta, sub episcopo Foroliviensi. illustriss. ac reuerendiss. d. d. Claudio Ciccolino Dei et apostolicae sedis gratia Episcopo Forolivii anno Domini MDCLXXV, X Kal. Maii. (Forli: Dandi & Saporetti 1675). (in Latin)
^In its decree Christus Dominus, section 22, it stated: "Concerning diocesan boundaries, therefore, this sacred synod decrees that, to the extent required by the good of souls, a fitting revision of diocesan boundaries be undertaken prudently and as soon as possible. This can be done by dividing dismembering or uniting them, or by changing their boundaries, or by determining a better place for the episcopal see or, finally, especially in the case of dioceses having larger cities, by providing them with a new internal organization.... At the same time the natural population units of people, together with the civil jurisdictions and social institutions that compose their organic structure, should be preserved as far as possible as units. For this reason, obviously, the territory of each diocese should be continuous."
^Bishop Theodorus received a letter of complaint from Pope Leo I, that he had not consulted with his metropolitan. J.P. Migne (ed.), Patrologiae Latinae Tomus LIV, p. 1001. Casali, p. 101. Lanzoni, p. 766, believes that Theodorus was bishop of Fréjus, not Forlì: "Non foroliviensis ma foroiuliensis (Fréjus) (J-L, 485)."
^Crescentius was present at the Lateran synod of Pope Martin I on 5 October 649. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus X (Florence: Zatta 1764), p. 867 ("Crescentio Lybiensi"). Casali, p. 102-103.
^Bishop Vincentius attended the Roman synod of Pope Agatho in 679, and subscribed the synodical letter which was sent to the Third Council of Constantinople of 680. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XI (Florence: Zatta 1766), p. 315.
^Bishop Apollinaris was present at the Roman synod of Pope Nicholas I on 18 November 861, to deal with Archbishop Joannes of Ravenna. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XV (Florence: Zatta 1770), p. 603. Ughelli-Coleti II, p. 576.
^Bishop Bartholomaeus subscribed the donation of Bishop Theodorus of Fermo to the monastery of Santa Croce. Casali, pp. 104-105. Bartholomaeus is recognized by Gams, p. 697 col. 1, but not by Ughelli-Coleti II, p. 576, or Cappelletti Chiese d'Italia II, p. 316. Giovanni Antonio Muratori warns that the document is at least heavily interpolated, and perhaps a falsification. Lodovico Antonio Muratori (1833). Dissertazioni sopra le antichità italiane (in Italian). Vol. Tomo primo. Firenze: Presso L. Marchini. pp. 23–24.
^Cappelletti, p. 316. Gams, p. 697. According to Coleti, in Ughelli II, p. 576, note 3, Rogerius was actually Bishop of Teramo.
^Bishop Paulus signed the grant of a lease on property in the diocese of Ferrara that belonged to the Church of Forlì. Gams, p. 697. Casali, pp. 104-105: "Paullus Dei omnipotentis misericordia humilis Episcopus sancte Liviensis Ecclesie et Abbas monasterii sancte Marie Xenodochjo imperialis in hoc libello subscripsi."
^On 14 May 962, Bishop Ubertus engaged in a property transfer with the abbot of S. Mercuriale. Bishop Ubertus took part in the synod of Ravenna on 1 May 998. Sigismondo Marchesi (1678). Supplemento istorico dell'antica citta' di Forlì (in Italian). Forlì: per Gioseffo Selua. pp. 131–133. Casali, pp. 106-107. Schwartz, p. 175.
^Bishop Drudo took part in the consecration of Bishop Joannes de Columba of Piacenza. Cappelletti II, p. 317. Casali, p. 111, puts the date in 1151, citing: "Ann. ab ortu Christi MCLI v . non . Iulii Ravennae Moyses Archiepiscopus, Ioannem coenobii Clarevallis monachum et abbatem Columbae, Episcopum Placentinum designatum consecravit.... Adſuere Henricus Cymacliensium, Petrus Cerviensium, Gregorius Hadrianorum, Ubertus Bobiensium, Drudus Forliviensium, Oddo Caesenalium Episcopi".
^Bishop Alexander was present at the Third Lateran Council of Pope Alexander III in March 1179, as a suffragan of the ecclesiastical province of Ravenna. Alessandro built the episcopal palace. In 1186, Pope Urban III (1185–1187) appointed Alexander as a judge in a local dispute. From 1188 to 1190, Bishop Alexander acted as Vicar General of the diocese of Ravenna, while its archbishop, Gerardo (1169-1190), was on crusade. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXII (Venice: Zatta 1778), p. 216. Cappelletti II, pp. 317-318. Casali, pp. 112-113. Kehr V, p. 144, no. 1.
^Joannes: Cappelletti, Le chiese d'Italia II, pp. 321-322. Casali, pp. 113, 115.
^Albertus: Casali, pp. 114-115. Gams, p. 697. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 253.
^Casali, pp. 114-115, 117, posits the theory that Ricciardellus was illegitimately elected, interrupting the administration of the diocese by Bishop Albertus.
^Bishop Alberto was appointed and consecrated by Pope Honorius III (1216–1227). In 1223, he subscribed a donation made by Bishop Albert of Magdeburg. Casali, pp. 114-115, 117. Eubel I, p. 253.
^Henricus: Casali, pp. 116-117, 119. Eubel I, p. 253.
^Thomas had been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Forlì. Following the death of Bishop Rodulphus, Thomas had been elected by the Canons. The election was confirmed by Pope John XXII on 24 September 1318. G. Mollat, Lettres communes de Jean XXII Tome deuxième (Paris: Fontemoing 1904), p. 284, no. 8456. Eubel I, p. 253.
^Bishop Joannes had been an archdeacon of Tulle. He was transferred to the diocese of Viterbo by Pope Clement VI on 15 July 1348. He died later that same year. Eubel I, pp. 253, 532.
^Aimericus was appointed by Pope Clement VI on 2 March 1349. He was transferred to the diocese of Bosa (Sardinia) on 20 January 1351. Eubel I, pp. 141, 253.
^Fra Bartolomeo was appointed by Clement VI on 20 May 1351. He was compelled to flee by Francesco II Ordelaffi. Eubel I, p. 253.
^Artaud had been Provost of Forcalquier from 1365, papal treasurer in the Romandiola from 1371. He was appointed Bishop of Forlì by Pope Gregory XI on 14 July 1372. He was transferred to the diocese of Grasse in 1378, by Urban VI, and then to Sisteron on 2 May 1382. On 17 December 1404, he became Archbishop of Arles. He died on 1 November 1410. Albanès, Joseph Hyacinthe; Ulysse Chevalier (1901). Gallia christiana novissima: Arles (in Latin). Valence: Soc. anonyme d'imprimerie montbéliardasie. pp. 754–766. Eubel I, pp. 104, 253, 267, 454.
^Paolo, called Paolo da S. Ruffello dal Marchesi, was a native of Perugia and a Canon of its cathedral. In a bull of 16 July 1378, Urban VI informed the archbishop of Ravenna that he had transferred Bishop Artaud to Grasse, and had appointed Paolo Naroli to the vacancy that was created at Forlì. Paolo died in 1384. Casali, pp. 126-127, 129. Eubel I, p. 253.
^Pagani died on 24 January 1391. Cappelletti II, pp. 327-328.
^Scarpetta was the illegitimate son of the tyrant Francesco of Forlì. At the age of 23, while still studying law at Bologna, he became Rector of the university. On 1 March 1391, he was named Bishop of Forlì by Pope Boniface IX. He died on 1 October 1401, having been thrown in prison by his enemies. Ughelli II, p. 581. Cappelletti II, pp. 328-329. Casali, pp. 130-131. Eubel I, p. 253.
^Joannes was the son of Majolus, a noble of Forlì. He was a papal chamberlain, a Referendary, and a Registrar of papal letters. Since 1384 he had been abbot commendatory of S. Mercuriale in Forlì. On 21 November 1402, he was appointed Bishop of Forlì by Pope Boniface IX, and was named abbot commendatory of S. Mercuriale in Forlì for life. He served in Rome as Papal Vicar of the City of Rome. He died in Rome on 10 October 1411, and was buried in S. Maria Maggiore. Casali, pp. 130-131, 133. Eubel I, p. 253 with note 8.
^Caffarelli was a Doctor of Canon Law, and a Canon of S. Maria Maggiore in Rome. He was appointed Bishop of Forlì by Pope Martin V on 28 April 1427. He was banished by Antonio I Ordelaffi. He was transferred to the diocese of Ancona by Pope Eugenius IV on 18 February 1437. Marchesi, pp. 121-122. Casali, pp. 134-135. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 253 with note 12; II, pp. 87, 155.
^Bishop Caffarelli was driven out of his diocese during a revolt against the governor Fra Tommaso da Venezia, Bishop of Trau, and Bevilacqua was elected by the Canons of S. Croce and some noblemen to replace him in 1433. Pope Eugenius IV refused to confirm the election, and threatened Bevilacqua with canonical sanctions. After four years, Bevilacqua yielded and retired to a monastery. Marchesi, pp. 121-122. Casali, pp. 134-135.
^Farinata had been a Canon of Siena, and held the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. He was appointed Bishop of Forlì on 4 November 1446, by Pope Eugenius IV. He was transferred to the diocese of Sarsina by Pope Nicholas V. He died in 1451. Eubel II, pp. 155, 230.
^Griffo was a native of Pisa, and held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He served in the papal curia as a scriptor. He served on legations to the Emperor, the King of England and the King of France; to the Venetians and to the Milanese. On 31 October 1512, he was appointed Bishop of Forlì by Pope Julius II. He took part in the Fifth Lateran Council. In 1515, he was appointed Legate of Umbria. He died c. 1516, at the age of 44. Casali, pp. 138-139, 141. Eubel III, p. 198 with note 3.
^Michelozzi presented his bull of possession to the cathedral Chapter through a procurator on 6 December 1516: "Die 6 mensis Decembris coram Capitulo Achilles de Bello de Castrocario prov. D. Bernardi Michelotii civis florentini Electi Foroliviensis exhibuit breve Leonis pape X. sub die 15 Novembris 1516 pro obtinenda possessione, et eam accepit." He died in 1519. Casali, pp. 140-141. Eubel III, p. 198.
^Leonardo was a Florentine, the son of Bernardo de' Medici, and a relative of Bishop Bernardo Michelozzi de'Medici. He had been a Canon of Florence. He resigned, at the request of Pope Clement VII, due to senility. Ughelli II, p. 585-586. Eubel III, p. 198.
^Ridolfi: Ughelli II, p. 586 ("administrandam suscepit"). Eubel III, p. 198.
^Bernardo was appointed bishop on 7 August 1528 by Pope Clement VII, but on 25 October 1532 he still had not been consecrated a bishop. On 10 December 1533, he was appointed magister capellae by the pope. On 23 October 1551, Bishop Bernardo was appointed Bishop of Cassano all'Jonio by Pope Julius III, on the nomination of the Emperor. Eubel III, pp. 156, 198.
^Giglio (Lilius) had been Referendary of the Two Signatures for Pope Gregory XIII. He was appointed Bishop of Forlì on 11 August 1578. He died suddenly on 21 August 1580. Casali, pp. 144-145. Eubel III, p. 198.
^Mazza had been collector of papal revenues in Spain, when he was named Bishop of Forlì on 5 September 1580. According to Casali (p. 146), he had aroused such great contentions with the magistrates, the Chapter, and the clergy of Forlì that Pope Sixtus V demanded his resignation. He was appointed papal nuncio to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francesco, in 1587. He died in Florence on 1 April 1589. Sigismondo Marchesi, Supplemento, pp. 716-719. Eubel III, p. 198 with note 10.
^Teofili was a Roman, and held the degree of Doctor in utroque iure. He was named Bishop of Forlì on 7 January 1587. He died on 5 February 1594, at the age of sixty-two. Ughelli, p. 587. Eubel III, p. 198.
^Franceschi was a Roman. He was appointed on 4 May 1594. He resigned in 1597, with the permission of Pope Clement VIII. He died in Rome on 10 January 1601, at the age of sixty-six. Casali, pp. 146-147. Eubel III, p. 198. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 189 with note 2.
^Tartarini: Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 189 with note 3.
^Bartorelli: Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 189 with note 4.
^Theodoli: Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 189 with note 5.
^Ciccolini: Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 189 with note 6.
^Rasponi: Ritzler and Sefrin V, p. 204 with note 3.
^Torelli: Ritzler and Sefrin V, p. 204 with note 4.
^Piazza: Ritzler and Sefrin VI, p. 218 with note 2.
^Bizarri: Ritzler and Sefrin VI, p. 218 with note 3.
^Vignoli: Ritzler and Sefrin VI, p. 218 with note 4.
^Prati: Ritzler and Sefrin VI, p. 218 with note 5.
^Born in Assisi in 1806, Lorenzo Baldassare Luigi taught theology and was master of novices of the Benedictine monastery of S. Paolo fuori le mure in Rome. He became Prior of Farfa in 1840, and Secretary and Chancellor of the Congregation of Montecassino in 1844. Antoniacci was named Bishop of Forlì on 7 March 1853. He was appointed Titular Archbishop of Athenae pm 21 December 1857, to qualify him as papal nuncio to Brazil (1857–1863). He then served in the post of papal nuncio to Austria (1863–1873). He was named a cardinal by Pope Pius IX on 22 December 1873. He died on 29 May 1874. Ritzler and Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 49, 128, 275. Martin Bräuer (2014). Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (in German). Berlin: De Gruyter. p. 89. ISBN978-3-11-026947-5.
^Trucchi had previously been Bishop of Anagni (1846–1857). He was appointed Bishop of Forlì on 21 December 1857, by Pope Pius IX. He died on 21 January 1887. Ritzler and Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 98, 275.
^Svampa was born in the small commune of Montegranaro, northwest of Fermo, in 1851. He studied at seminaries in Fermo and Rome, and took a doctoral degree in theology and Civil and Canon Law at the papal institute, the Athenaeum S. Apollinaire in Rome. He taught theology and Canon Law at the seminary in Fermo, and became an honorary Canon at the cathedral there. He was named Bishop of Forlì on 23 May 1877. On 21 May 1894, at the age of 43, Svampa was appointed a cardinal as well as Archbishop of Bologna by Pope Leo XIII. He died on 10 August 1907. Ritzler and Sefrin VIII, pp. 48, 153, 275. Martin Bräuer (2014). Handbuch der Kardinäle: 1846-2012 (in German). Berlin: De Gruyter. p. 170. ISBN978-3-11-026947-5.
Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus VI (1730-1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 6 July 2016. (in Latin)
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