Ordination/installation key information
The Ordination and Installation Mass of Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. Out of necessity, due to high demand and capacity constraints, this event is by Invitation Only. Parishioners are encouraged to join us in prayer, via livestream. Both the Ordination Mass on July 11 and the Solemn Vespers at 5 p.m., Friday, July 10, will be livestreamed via the Diocesan website at https://dioceseofvenice.org/livestream/, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofVenice. Join us in prayer as we welcome Bishop Emilio to the Diocese of Venice!
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Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., returned to the Diocese of Venice for the week of June 15-20, 2026, ahead of his July 11 Apostolic Ordination and Installation as the third Bishop of the Diocese.
During his time in Venice, the Bishop-elect became better acquainted with the Diocese through a series of meetings with Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Diocesan Chancellor Volodymyr Smeryk, and many other key Diocesan leaders. The Bishop-elect was only in the Diocese of Venice for a few days when his appointment was announced on May 13.
A key aspect of the new Bishop’s visit was the opportunity to have meetings with priests in the four Deaneries (regions) of the Diocese. These meetings allowed many Diocesan priests to meet Bishop Biosca in an informal setting where both sides learned more about each other. Additional meetings took place with religious men and women, Deacons, as well as a visit to Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities in Immokalee.
Bishop Biosca is making an effort to learn about how the Diocese functions. The new Bishop is especially interested in learning the pastoral needs of the different Parishes as well as what pressing issues will demand his attention as soon as he takes over as shepherd of the Diocese in July.
When not on the road meeting priests, the new Bishop was able to begin to move into his residence in Venice. He also stood for his formal portrait and took part in interviews, in both English and Spanish, in anticipation of his coming ordination, in an effort to help the faithful of the Diocese get to know him.
Welcome, Bishop Emilio!
