Bishops of Otočac, 1460-1520

This is part 40 in a series on Daniel Farlati’s Illyricum Sacrum.

Otočac sat inland and southeast of the diocese of Senj. Its status as a diocese was rather short. With only 4 known bishops before its surpression. Farlati finds in a geneaology of the Frankopan family that the diocese was established in 1461 by Sigismund Frankopan at the Church of St. Nicholas.

Blasius (1460-1492)

Farlati saw his primary function as administering the church of Spalato at a time when the Archbishops did not spend their time in Split. This continued until around 1483, at which point Archbishop Batholomew employed the services of his own vicar general.

Joannes (1492)

Joannes Cheregata (Chericato). Prior to becoming bishop he was superior general of the Crosier Fathers. He was bishop in Otočac only a year before transferring to be bishop of Kotor, Montenegro.

Vincentius (1493)

Vincentius de Andreis. He was from a noble family in Trogir. Around 1502 Jacobus, The bishop of Senj, disputed some of the right to tithes in Otočac. Both Vincentius and Jacobus agreed to have the matter arbitrated. The result was that the diocese should merge with Senj upon the death of Vincentius. He would go on to live another 18 years.

Petrus (1520)

Petrus de Andreis, from the same family as his predecessor Vincentius. His appointment suggests the Arbitration from 1502 was not honored. Peter appears to have lacked the funds to secure his appointment under laws setup by Leo X. Petrus had previously spent time in Rome and cultivated a friendship with Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio, who interceded on his behalf. The pope extended the time necessary for him to fufill his obligations.

How long he served and when he died is unknown. He was the last bishop before the diocese was suppressed. Farlati writes in 1712 a brass seal with the de Andreis coat of arms was dug up from Otočac with the inscription
“PETRUS DE ANDREIS, DALMATA, EPISCOPUS OTOCIENSIS.”