 A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, 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 Papirio Silvestri (1642–1659) held a diocesan synod in Macerata on 12 September 1651.