During the Sede vacante the administration of the diocese was in the hands of a Vicar Capitular, the Primicerius of the cathedral Chapter, Mons. Giosuè Mazzella. Cappelletti, p. 557. Onofrio Buonocore (1954). Monografie storiche dell'Isola d'Ischia (in Italian). Naples: Rispoli. p. 113.
Di Nicola had been a Canon of the cathedral of Aversa. He was appointed Coadjutor bishop of Ischia in 1871 by Pope Pius IX. On 18 November 1881, Bishop di Nicola was provided with an auxiliary bishop by Pope Leo XIII, Carlo Mennella, who was appointed titular Bishop of Menneth in partibus infidelium. La Civiltà Cattolica. Series 11, volume 8 (in Italian). Vol. 32nd year. Firenze: La Civiltà Cattolica. 1881. p. 608. HARVARD:32044105219927.