Announcement of the Death of the Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane,
Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida

Venice, Fla., October 7, 2026 – With heartfelt sorrow Most Reverend Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida, announces that the Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, has died, after a brief illness.

“It is with profound sadness, yet with faith in the promise of the Resurrection, that I announce the passing of the Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice in Florida. Bishop Dewane died this morning at 3:00 a.m., October 7, 2026, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, surrounded by close family and friends,” Bishop Biosca said.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, ordained to the priesthood in 1988, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the second bishop of the Diocese of Venice in 2006, following Bishop John J. Nevins, the Diocese’s founding bishop; Bishop Dewane served as bishop of the Diocese of Venice until his retirement earlier this year, 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 Biosca. “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.“

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be made available as soon as they are finalized. 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.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen Barry Schwarz | schwarz@dioceseofvenice.org

941-441-1118 (o) | 941-275-5183 (c)

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Bishop Dewane Official Portrait, 2026 (click here for image file)

Bishop Dewane’s Episcopal Coat of Arms (click here for image file)

Bishop Dewane’s Episcopal Coat of Arms (click for description)

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Biography of Bishop Dewane and key statistics

https://dioceseofvenice.org/biography-of-bishop-dewane-and-key-statistics/

Bishop Dewane celebrated on 20th anniversary of his episcopal ordination, Aug. 4, 2026

https://dioceseofvenice.org/bishop-dewane-celebrated-on-20th-anniversary-of-his-episcopal-ordination/