Roman Catholic Diocese of Aversa

The Diocese of Aversa is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Campania, southern Italy, created in 1053. It is situated in the Terra di Lavoro , seven miles north of Naples, and eight miles south of Capua. It is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Naples.
The city of Atella was destroyed in the Lombard invasions. The city of Aversa arose in the 11th century, near the destroyed Atella, and became the seat of the Norman invader Rainulf, who became a vassal of Duke Sergius of Naples. The Norman Duke Robert Guiscard built a fortification which in time became an urban centre. Duke Robert, becoming a vassal of the pope and supporting him in his struggle with the Holy Roman Emperor, obtained permission from Pope Leo IX to have the extinct diocese of Atella revived at Aversa. In 1058, Count Richard of Aversa became Prince of Capua. This led to an immediate and continual confrontation between Norman Capua and Lombard Naples, both politically and ecclesiastically. The archbishops of Naples claimed metropolitan status over Aversa, with the right to consecrate its bishops and receive oaths of loyalty from them. At the same time the Princes of Capua claimed that Aversa was a new foundation, thanks to their work for the Church, and in no case did the Norman Prince intend to recognize the jurisdiction of the Lombards over his principality.

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