As the retirement of Bishop Frank J. Dewane approaches, he generously offered what it was like to get the call confirming his retirement and beginning the transition for a new Shepherd.
The call
When Bishop Dewane saw that he had a missed call from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, he recalled, “I bet I know what this is about.” When the Bishop and Cardinal Pierre connected, it was indeed news that “the Holy Father (Pope Leo XIV) had accepted my resignation. The nuncio proceeded to give me the name of the new Bishop and asked that I call him to put things in motion for the transition and celebrations surrounding his ordination and installation of the new Bishop.”
Having reached the retirement age of 75 in March 2025, Bishop Dewane reflected that getting the news was not a shock per se, but it did stir in him a time to reflect and pray.
“As a Bishop, we are, in a sense, married to our Diocese and work for a number of years – for me almost 20 – investing a lot of time and of oneself, but then you realize change is good. A change in personnel, a change in the leaders, I think it’s a positive thing for all involved.”
Bishop Dewane said he is not the same person he was when he was appointed to the Diocese of Venice as Co-Adjutor Bishop in 2006.
“It is a natural thing in life to move on,” the Bishop said. “When I left positions before I wasn’t retiring, I was just moving on, so it is a little bit different in that regard.”
The reality of his retirement and acting as Bishop Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese during the transition has helped Bishop Dewane realize that big changes were coming to his life. “There were things you were responsible for, and now you are not. I still had confirmations that had to be done, because they are scheduled, but other events were put aside.”
Talking to the Bishop-elect
Cardinal Pierre provided Bishop Dewane with the contact information for Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., and the two played phone tag before finally connecting.
The initial conversation was an opportunity for the two to get to know a little bit about each other. “He told me a little bit about himself, where he was assigned and how he was part of a religious order.”
Bishop Dewane said the call reminded him of when he was notified that he was going to be the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida. “I couldn’t help but think back on how I felt at the time I was told about my appointment and where I was going. I remember thinking, ‘I haven’t spent a lot of time in Florida. I don’t know too much about the Diocese. What do I do next?’”
The initial contact between Bishop Dewane and Bishop-elect Biosca mainly focused on setting the announcement date (May 13), and then setting a date for the ordination and installation, as well as where it would take place due to the ongoing reconstruction of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
This schedule had to be coordinated with the schedule of the new Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, as well as with the Bishop consecrators, and Bishop Biosca’s Provincial, Father Robert Marva, O.F.M., Cap.
During Bishop Biosca’s first visit to the Diocese, he stayed at Bishop Dewane’s house behind Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota which allowed the opportunity to talk in a less formal setting. The Diocesan Chancellor, Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk, served as an escort for Bishop Biosca when he went to see the site for the ordination and visited other locations.
Further contact has revolved around the plans for the various celebrations connected with Bishop Biosca’s ordination and installation.
“It is an exciting time for the Diocese. It is right that someone new can come in with fresh ideas and visions that will lead the faithful into the future,” Bishop Dewane said. “The new Bishop, as well as the faithful and clergy of the Diocese of Venice are in my prayers. May the Diocese continue to grow and flourish, bringing the Good News of the Gospel to our corner of the world.”
