The Diocese of Tuscanella (Latin: Tuscaniensis) was a Latin Church residential bishopric of the Catholic Church, in existence by the 7th century.[1] Even at the time of the Lombard invasions, it belonged to the Duchy of Rome and was immediately subject to the Pope.[2] The seat of the bishop was originally in the church of S. Maria, then in the church of S. Pietro, and after 1592 in the church of S. Giacomo.[3]
On 22 February 852 Pope Leo IV, in the bull Convenit apostolico, addressed to Bishop Virbono, confirmed the jurisdiction of the bishop over the churches and possessions of his diocese.[4] This document is revealing, because it not only describes the towns and parishes dependent on the bishop (including Montalto, Tarquinia and Viterbo), but also details the boundaries of the diocese.[5]
From 1192 the diocese of Tuscanella and the diocese of Viterbo were in personal union (aeque principaliter).[6]
The diocese was suppressed in 1986.
The name, though not the diocesan structure, was revived as the Latin Catholic titular see of Tuscania in 1991.[7][8]