To mark the 75th birthday of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, the staff of the Catholic Center in Venice gathered for a celebratory luncheon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice on March 12, 2025. Bishop Dewane turned 75 on March 9.
Bishop Dewane reflected that his 75th birthday was a good number to reach and that he feels blessed by God for reaching this milestone. He also noted that he is grateful to have received many birthday greetings from family and friends.
During the luncheon, several speakers spoke about their time in service under Bishop Dewane. Speakers included Diocesan Vicar General, Msgr. Stephen E. McNamara; Chancellor, Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk, Communications Director, Karen Barry Schwarz; Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. CEO, Stephen Root; and Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc. Executive Director, Michael Morse.
Born and raised in Denmark, Wisconsin, a farming community near Green Bay, Bishop Dewane was ordained to the priesthood on July 16, 1988, for the Diocese of Green Bay. He served as a priest in the Diocese until 1991 when he was appointed 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.
On April 25, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Dewane Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, and on January 19, 2007, Bishop Dewane was installed in his current role as the Bishop of the Diocese.
Bishop Dewane serves on several committees at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land.
Happy 75th Birthday Bishop Dewane!
