[9] The cathedral was administered by a corporation called the Chapter, composed of six dignities (the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, the Cantor, two Primicerii, and the Treasurer) and seven canons (later fourteen).

[12] The fief of Cerignola fell to the royal treasury under Charles I of Sicily, in 1273, on the death of Simon the chancellor.

In 1398, Benedetto Azzaroli, a native of Cerignola and the Vicegerens in Apulia, purchased the castle of Cerignoli, and the king assigned him the territory as well.

Since at least the 15th century, Cerignola has been outside the diocesan system (nullius diocesis), governed ecclesiastically by the archpriest of the collegiate church of S. Pietro in Carignola.

In a document of 30 April 1455, Pope Calixtus III uses the expression “Cidonola nullius dioc.” with reference to Cerignola.

[18] Cerignola (Dioecesis Ceriniolensis-Asculana Apuliae) was established as a diocese on 18 June 1819, by Pope Pius VII, in the bull "Quamquam Per Nuperrimam".

[19] The pope was frank in his motives: increasing difficulties in financing the diocese of Ascoli, and the greater population and wealth of Cerignola.

[24] Cerignola in Apulia has no connection with Carinola, a comune (municipality) in the Province of Caserta in the region of Campania in Italy.

It was assigned as suffragan dioceses: Siponto, Troia, Asculum et Cerinola, Bovino, Lucera, and S. Severo.

[31] 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.

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.