Second Shepherd of Venice dies
“IUSTITIA, PAX, GAUDIUM”
Bishop Emeritus Frank J. Dewane used those three words (justice, peace and joy) as his Episcopal motto and strove to live them throughout his life which included 38 years as a priest, and nearly 20 years as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida. He died after a short illness in the early hours of Oct. 7, 2026, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., said that it was “with profound sadness, yet with faith in the promise of the Resurrection,” that he announced the passing of Bishop Dewane, who was surrounded by close family and friends at the time of his death.
Born March 9, 1950, in Wisconsin, Bishop Dewane grew up in the Green Bay area and was ordained to the priesthood in 1988. He served in various roles for the Vatican before being named Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida by Pope Benedict XVI on April 25, 2006, and on January 19, 2007, he was installed as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida.
Bishop Dewane served as bishop of the Diocese of Venice until his retirement on May 13, 2026. He served as the Diocese’s Apostolic Administrator until July 11, 2026, and as Bishop Emeritus until his death.
“As we mourn the loss of Bishop Dewane, we also give thanks to God for the gift of his life and for the many ways in which he served the Church,” said Bishop Emilio. “Bishop Dewane leaves behind a remarkable legacy of faithful service to the Church. For nearly two decades, he served as the spiritual shepherd of the Diocese of Venice. His years as a priest and bishop were marked by a sincere love for Christ, His Church, and the people entrusted to his pastoral care, especially those most in need. Please join me in praying for the repose of Bishop Dewane’s soul, that the Lord may welcome His faithful servant into eternal life.”
In addition to holding a degree from the University of Wisconsin, Bishop Dewane also completed studies at The American University in Washington, D.C., as well as from Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, both in Rome. Prior to entering the seminary, Bishop Dewane worked for the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Moscow, Russia, and then for a subsidiary of PepsiCo in New York City.
Ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Green Bay, Bishop Dewane was appointed in 1991 to serve as a member of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York City, during which time he represented the Holy See at several international conferences. In 1995, he was transferred to the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” and was later appointed Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
As the Bishop of Venice, Bishop Dewane served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors for The Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. He also served on several Committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including the Pro-Life Committee, the International Justice and Peace Committee, and the Subcommittee for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers, and as a member of the Circus and Traveling Shows Ministry. Bishop Dewane served as a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Ave Maria University in Ave Maria and Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, all in Florida.
In addition, Bishop Dewane served as chair for the USCCB Committee for Domestic Justice and Integral Human Development, on the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee against Racism, and as Episcopal Liaison for both Catholic Charities, USA, and Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).
When Bishop Dewane received the phone call from the Apostolic Nuncio (the Vatican’s representative in the U.S.), that Pope Leo XIV had accepted his retirement in March 2026, he reflected in June how 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 oneself, but then you realize change is good,” 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.”
The Diocese of Venice, while mourning the loss of their beloved Bishop Emeritus, gives thanks to God for the gift of his life and for the many ways in which he served the Church, and the remarkable legacy of faithful service he leaves behind. For nearly two decades, Bishop Dewane served as the spiritual shepherd of the Diocese of Venice. His years as a priest and bishop were marked by a sincere love for Christ, His Church, and the people entrusted to his pastoral care, especially those most in need. The Diocese asks all the members of the faithful to join them in praying for the repose of Bishop Dewane’s soul, that the Lord may welcome His faithful servant into eternal life, and for the consolation of his family.
In announcing the death of Bishop Dewane, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, “We give thanks to God for his life, his faithful service to the Church, and the many people who were blessed by his ministry.”
Bishop Dewane’s fellow Florida bishops are mourning the loss.
Bishop Gregory L. Parkes, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, said in a statement, “I have an abundant amount of gratitude for his many years of ministry to the Church and his friendship as my fellow brother Bishop in Florida.”
Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, of the Diocese of Palm Beach, said in a statement, “Here in Florida, Bishop Dewane leaves a lasting legacy. During his years as Bishop of Venice, he ordained 34 priests and 28 permanent deacons, established new parishes and schools, strengthened Catholic education and vocations, expanded outreach to those in need, and faithfully served a growing Catholic community across Southwest Florida.”
Bishop Dewane is survived by his brother John (Jack), and two sisters, Margaret (Peggy), and Mary, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The Diocese of Venice asks all the members of the faithful to remember Bishop Dewane in their prayers. May the soul of Bishop Dewane and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
The Funeral Services for Bishop Emeritus, the Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane
Beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at 4 p.m., Bishop Frank J. Dewane will lie in state at the Epiphany Cathedral Parish Center, 310 Sarasota Street, in Venice. (The Viewing will be held at the Parish Center as Epiphany Cathedral is currently under renovation.)
The service will commence with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary, by the clergy and faithful, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by Evening Prayer, presided by Bishop Emilio E Biosca, O.F.M. Cap. Immediately after, the faithful may approach the casket and devoutly pay their respects to Bishop Dewane. Bishop Dewane will lie in state in Venice until 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m., Morning Prayer will take place at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, while Bishop Dewane lies in state. The Funeral Mass for Bishop Dewane will follow at St. John XXIII beginning at 2 p.m. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be presided by His Excellency, Archbishop James F. Checchio of New Orleans. His Excellency, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis will deliver the funeral homily.
The Rite of Committal and Burial will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice. Bishop Dewane will be laid to rest in the Epiphany Cathedral Bishops’ crypt.
All of the faithful are welcome to attend the Viewing, Morning Prayer, and Funeral Mass. For those unable to attend, the Funeral Mass will also be livestreamed at dioceseofvenice.com/livestream.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Bishop Dewane Endowment Fund for the Poor with the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida by scanning the QR code or by visiting https://ccfdioceseofvenice.org/fund/bishop-dewa.
Prayer for Bishop Dewane
“O God, who chose your servant Bishop Dewane from among your priests and endowed him with pontifical dignity in the apostolic priesthood, grant, we pray, that he may also be admitted to their company forever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.”
