Bovino
An Archdiocese with a Long History
The Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino has a long history dating back to 893, when some churches in Bovino were assigned to the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Benevento. The diocese of Bovino has been suspended on several occasions and was eventually merged with the diocese of Foggia in 1986. Today, the Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino boasts over 200,000 baptized individuals on a slightly larger population. The archiepiscopal seat is located in Foggia, where the Cathedral of Foggia, also known as Iconavetere or the Seven Veils, is located.
The Territory
The Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino covers nine municipalities in the province of Foggia: Accadia, Bovino, Castelluccio dei Sauri, Deliceto, Foggia, Panni, Monteleone di Puglia, San Marco in Lamis, and Sant'Agata di Puglia. It extends over 1667 km² and is divided into 54 parishes, grouped together in 6 vicariates, including Foggia Historic Center, Foggia North, Foggia South, Foggia Rural Areas, Bovino, and San Marco in Lamis.
Prominent Churches
The Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino has many prominent churches that deserve to be mentioned. The Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Bovino is one of the most important churches in the archdiocese. The Church of San Giovanni Battista in Foggia and the Sanctuary of the Madonna Incoronata in Borgo Incoronata, a fraction of Foggia, are both minor basilicas. The Madonna dei Sette Veli and San Marco di Eca are the patrons of the archdiocese.
The Ecclesiastical Province
The Ecclesiastical Province of Foggia-Bovino represents the Dioceses of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano, Lucera-Troia, Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, and San Severo.
The History of Bovino
The diocese of Bovino has an uncertain and poorly documented history. However, it is believed that Giovanni was the first bishop of Bovino, mentioned in a diploma of Archbishop Landolfo in 971. The region in which the diocese of Bovino is located was reconquered by the Byzantine Empire in the eleventh century, and the diocese already existed at that time. The Order of Saint Benedict of San Pietro di Olivola has been an important point of reference in the territory of Sant'Agata di Puglia since the eleventh century. Today, its remains are still visible.
Conclusions
The Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino is an important entity of the Catholic Church in Italy that dates back to 893. It covers a vast area of the province of Foggia and has many prominent churches. The diocese of Bovino has a fascinating history that has evolved over time, and significant changes have occurred that have led to the current reality of the Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino.
