pievano

Pievano is a term historically used in Italy to denote a priest who had charge of a parish. The word itself derives from the Latin "pauper," meaning poor, and later evolved to "plebanus" or "pleban." In the early Middle Ages, the pievano was often a significant figure in the local community, not only for their spiritual duties but also for their administrative and judicial roles. They were typically appointed by a bishop and held considerable authority within their designated territory, which was known as a "pieve."

The pieve was an ecclesiastical and often administrative division that predated the modern parish. It was a substantial rural area, and its church, the pievanal church, was the principal church of the district. The pievano was responsible for the spiritual welfare of the people in the pieve, administering sacraments, preaching, and overseeing other clergy within their jurisdiction. Over time, as the administrative structure of the Church evolved and the concept of the parish became more formalized, the distinct role of the pievano gradually diminished. The term "pievano" became less common, and the responsibilities were largely absorbed by the parish priest. However, the historical significance of the pievano and the pieve remains an important aspect of understanding medieval Italian ecclesiastical and social history.