Diocese of Alessandria Della Paglia

Alessandria della Paglia, Diocese of, in Piedmont, Italy, a suffragan of Vercelli. It was made a see in 1175 by Alexander III, by a Brief of January 30 1176, in which he declares that he selects a bishop without any detriment to the rights of the chapter for the future. It was suppressed in 1213, and united to Acqui; reestablished, 1240, and reunited to Acqui, 1405; suppressed, 1803, and reestablished as independent in 1817. It was vacant from 1854 to 1867. There are 116,000 Catholics; 61 parishes, 143 secular priests, and 188 churches and chapels.

JOHN J. A’ BECKET.