Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto Archidioecesis Theatinus-Vastensis |
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Location | |
Country | Italy |
Ecclesiastical province | Chieti-Vasto |
Statistics | |
Area | 2,539 km2 (980 sq mi) |
Population - Total - Catholics |
(as of 2006) 312,982 305,882 (97.7%) |
Parishes | 157 |
Information | |
Denomination | Catholic Church |
Rite | Roman Rite |
Established | 6th Century |
Cathedral | Chieti Cathedral (Cattedrale di S. Giustino (Chieti)) |
Co-cathedral | Vasto Cathedral (Concattedrale di S. Giuseppe (Vasto)) |
Current leadership | |
Pope | Francis |
Archbishop | Bruno Forte |
Map | |
Website | |
www.webdiocesi.chiesacattolica.it |
The Italian Catholic Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto (Latin: Archidioecesis Theatinus-Vastensis) received that name in 1986. The historic Archdiocese of Chieti was elevated from a diocese in 1526.
Chieti is the ancient Teate. In the Gothic War it was captured by Totila; later it fell into the hands of the Lombards, from whom it was captured by Pepin and devastated. The Normans rebuilt the city, which thenceforth belonged to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Saint Justinus is venerated as the first Bishop of Chieti, and the cathedral is dedicated to him. Several of his successors are also venerated as saints, among them Gribaldus (874), whose portrait is on the bronze doors of the monastery of St. Clement in the Island of Pescara.
Giovanni Pietro Caraffa in 1524 resigned the see, and associated himself with Cajetan of Tiene in the foundation of the Theatine Order. Later Caraffa became pope under the name of Paul IV.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.