The Italian Catholic diocese of Venosa, in southern Italy, existed until 1986. In that year it was united into the Diocese of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa. It had been a suffragan of the archdiocese of Potenza e Marsico Nuovo.
The earliest events of the Christian history of Venosa are the martyrdoms of the Twelve Brothers (286) and of Feliz, Bishop of Tabara in Africa, and his companions (303). Stephanus (498) is the first Bishop of Venosa whose date is known accurately.
The names of other bishops up to the Norman conquest have not been preserved. Buono (1223) was assassinated by a cleric; Lamberto Arbaudo (1509) embellished the cathedral, which was demolished a little later to permit the erection of fortifications.
In 1818 the diocese of Lavello, suffragan to the archdiocese of Bari, founded in 1042 when the Norman count Arnichino fixed his seat at Lavello, was united to Venosa.
Erected: 5th Century
Latin Name: Venusinus
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Potenza e Marsico Nuovo
30 September 1986 United with the Diocese of Melfi e Rapolla to form the Diocese of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.