Roman Catholic Diocese of Ruvo

[1][2] According to legend, Saint Peter, the apostle and friend of Jesus Christ, appointed the first bishop of Ruvo, Cletus, in 44;[3] he later became pope (c. 79 – 91).

[5] In June 1025, Pope John XIX confirmed for Archbishop Bisantius of Canosa (Bari) the possessions and territories of his diocese, which included the suffragan bishops of: Canosa, Bari, Medunio, Giovenazzo, Molfetta,[6] Ruvo, Trani, Canne, Minervino Murge, Acquaviva, Monte Meloni, Lavellano, Cisterna, Vitalbe, Salpi, Conversano, and Polignano.

[8] The right of the king to nominate the candidate for a vacant bishopric was recognized, as in the Concordat of 1741, subject to papal confirmation (preconisation).

[9] On 27 June 1818, Pius VII issued the bull De Ulteriore, in which he reestablished the metropolitan archbishopric of Bari, and assigned as suffragan (subordinate) dioceses: Bitonto, Ruvo, Conversana.

[10] On 4 September 1982, Father Antonio Bello, the pastor of the church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Tricase, was appointed Bishop of Molfetta, Giovenazzo and Terlizzi.

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.