From the 6th century to the 15th, the rite of Aquileia, commonly called the patriarchal rite, was used in the Church of Como. It was only in 1598 that
Pope Clement VIII substituted the Roman rite. was begun in 1396, and was completed only in 1595; later the
cupola and some small chapels were added (1730–44). The Cathedral was granted the honorary title and privileges of a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII, at the request of Bishop Felix Bonomini, in a decree of 18 January 1951. In 1695, the Chapter of the cathedral was composed of three dignities (the Archdeacon, the Archpriest, and the Provost) and twenty Canons. In 1764, there were three dignities and seventeen Canons. In 1846 there were twenty members of the Chapter, headed by the Archpriest, the Theologos, and the Penitentiary. The Chapter of the Cathedral currently (2018) consists of ten Canons, headed by the Archpriest. In the city of Como there was also the Collegiate Church of S. Fedele, which was presided over by a Provost and seven Canons.
Synods A diocesan synod was an irregular but important meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See. Bishop Gianantonio Volpi (1559–1588) held a diocesan synod on 16 March 1565. This was the first synod since the closing of the
Council of Trent, which had mandated regular and frequent diocesan synods. He held a second synod on 3–5 September 1579. A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Filippo Archinti (1595–1621) in 1598; and another synod on 16–18 May 1618. The Fifth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Lazzaro Carafino (1626–1665) on 18–20 September 1633. The Sixth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Ambrogio Torriano (1680–1694) on 13–15 September 1672. It issued particularly strong regulations against the use of snuff by the clergy, following the decree of
Pope Innocent X, and prescribed a fine of two aurei for any priest who used snuff before the Mass. The Seventh Diocesan Synod was held on 10–12 September 1682 by Cardinal Carlo Cicero, Bishop of Como. Bishop Teodoro de Valfrè held a diocesan synod on 13–15 September 1904 in the Cathedral. The Ninth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Alessandro Macchi (1930–1947) on 8–10 September 1942. The Tenth Diocesan Synod was held by Bishop Felice Bonomini (1948–1974) in 1953. Bishop Oscar Cantoni announced the Eleventh Diocesan Synod, that was to take place in 2020. It concluded in May 2022. ==Bishops of Como==