Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., has a deep devotion and passion for the care of the clergy of the Diocese of Venice.
During his recent 50-day 61-parish tour of the diocese, Bishop Emilio saw a need to put a priest into the role of Episcopal Vicar for Clergy. The role is intended to accompany each priest through the different stages of his life, from priestly ordination until his final reward at death.
On Aug. 20, 2026, Bishop Emilio appointed Father Robert J. Kantor as Diocesan Episcopal Vicar for Clergy.
“Father Bob has been a priest for a long time and is very well respected and regarded by the priests of the Diocese,” Bishop Emilio told a gathering of diocesan staff Aug. 25, at the Catholic Center in Venice. “This appointment has huge ramifications for the diocese. All priests, no matter whether they are active or retired, are still part of the larger diocesan family. It is part of the human responsibility of the diocese to accompany these priests, whether it is in financial, health or spiritual matters, they must be assisted all the way to the end.”
Father Kantor, who is also currently pastor at St. Agnes Parish, Naples, said, “I’m humbled that Bishop Emilio asked me to work in this capacity and it’s a position that’s close to my heart.”
“Over many years, I have worked with and come to appreciate the diverse group of priests and deacons who serve in our diocese,” Father Kantor said. “Everything I do will be with an eye to making it a better place to minister and serve our Lord. The more the clergy is supported through good policies, clear communication, continuing education, and opportunities for spiritual growth, the more fruitful all the People of God here will be. I hope in some small way that I can contribute to that.”
Father Kantor was born in Buffalo, New York and graduated with a BA in Journalism and Broadcasting degree from SUNY College in Buffalo, New York, and with a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Christ the King Seminary. Father Kantor was ordained to the priesthood Oct. 24, 1998, at Epiphany Cathedral, Venice.
Following his ordination, Father Kantor served as parochial vicar at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish, Bradenton before he was assigned administrator of St. Agnes in 2007. For more than 22 years, Father Kantor served in the United States Navy, first as a Public Affairs Officer and then a Chaplain in the reserves including a mobilization to Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005. He traveled to the Arabian Gulf four additional times between 2003 and 2006. Father is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, and is presently serving as Leadership Officer and teaches Character Development for the Naples Cadet Squadron.
Prior to his appointment as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Father Kantor was Vicar Forane for the southern deanery of the diocese, as well as serving on the Presbyteral Council, Personnel Board, Diocesan Building Commission and on the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County. Prior positions held include Vocation and Seminarian Formation Director and Mission Office Director concurrent with his parish duties.
Father Kantor is a Fourth Degree Knight and assumed the office of State Chaplain in 2021. He was also invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 2018. Beginning in 2007, Father has led numerous pilgrimages to Catholic religious sites, including three pilgrimages to the Holy Land as well as to Ireland, Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, Greece and Turkey. He also accompanied youth to five World Youth Days between the years of 1993 (as a lay youth minister) to 2016.
