capuchin Archives - Page 4 of 4

Official biography of Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap.

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Bob Reddy

See below for Spanish

Third Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida

Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., was born December 15, 1964, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Emilio Rodolfo Biosca and Maria del Carmen Agüero who were recent immigrants from Cuba. The third of seven children, his two older sisters were born in Cuba. He was baptized on Dec. 25, at St. Patrick’s Church in Pueblo, Colorado.

The family first resided in Pueblo, Colorado, then Kansas City, Missouri, where his father, already a practicing dentist in Cuba, worked and studied, graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry. The family relocated near relatives in Virginia, where his father opened a practice. Bishop Emilio attended St. Anthony and St. Leo Catholic schools, and then Bishop O’Connell High School.

Bishop Emilio briefly studied at George Mason University then entered the Capuchin Franciscans in 1984 transferring to Borromeo College of Ohio in Wickliffe and earning a B.A. in philosophy in 1987. He made first profession of vows in Pittsburgh on July 16, 1988. He continued Capuchin Formation and theological studies at Oblate College in Washington D.C., making solemn vows on August 17, 1991, and earning an M.A. and M.Div. in theology. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 1, 1993, and served at St. John the Evangelist in Center City Philadelphia.

On May 21, 1994, at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, he was ordained to the priesthood by then-Bishop Sean O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., volunteered and was sent to serve in the Capuchin mission in Papua New Guinea. From 1994 to 2004 he served predominantly the Kewa and Wiri speaking peoples in the Kagua, Ialibu and Pangia areas of the Southern Highlands and became fluent in Melanesian Tok Pisin. During this period, he worked closely with lay leaders and catechists. From 2002-2004 he served as the Director of Novices for the Capuchin Novitiate in Pangia.

In preparation for the mission in Cuba, Bishop Emilio returned to the United States in 2005 and studied at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family at Catholic University in Washington, earning his STL degree (Licentiate in Sacred Theology), Magna Cum Laude.

In 2007, Bishop Emilio entered Cuba and served there for 12 years. He spent his first year in Havana, then three years as Pastor of La Pastora Parish in Santa Clara, and the last eight years on the eastern side of the country in the Diocese of Bayamo-Manzanillo, where he was Pastor of La Purisima Concepcion de Manzanillo.

Bishop Emilio was appointed Pastor of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, DC on March 1, 2019. The Shrine of the Sacred Heart has 5,000 families and is culturally diverse, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in five languages each weekend (English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Portuguese).

For the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Augustine, Bishop Emilio was elected as Third Councilor in 2022, and then as Provincial Vicar, First Councilor in 2025. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Melanesian Tok Pisin.

El Obispo Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., nació el 15 de diciembre de 1964 en Colorado Springs, Colorado, hijo de Emilio Rodolfo Biosca y María del Carmen Agüero, quienes habían emigrado recientemente de Cuba. Es el tercero de siete hermanos; sus dos hermanas mayores nacieron en Cuba. Fue bautizado el 25 de diciembre en la iglesia de San Patricio, en Pueblo, Colorado.

La familia residió inicialmente en Pueblo, Colorado, y posteriormente en Kansas City, Misuri, donde su padre, quien ya ejercía la odontología en Cuba, trabajó y continuó sus estudios, graduándose en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Misuri–Kansas City (UMKC). Más tarde, la familia se trasladó a Virginia, cerca de otros familiares, donde su padre abrió su consultorio dental. El Obispo Emilio cursó sus estudios en las escuelas católicas San Antonio y San León, y posteriormente en la Escuela Secundaria Bishop O’Connell.

El Obispo Emilio estudió brevemente en la Universidad George Mason antes de ingresar a los Frailes Menores Capuchinos en 1984. Posteriormente se trasladó al Borromeo College de Ohio, en Wickliffe, donde obtuvo el grado de Licenciado en Filosofía (B.A.) en 1987. Hizo su primera profesión de votos en Pittsburgh el 16 de julio de 1988. Continuó su formación capuchina y sus estudios teológicos en el Oblate College de Washington, D.C. Hizo su profesión solemne el 17 de agosto de 1991 y obtuvo la Maestría en Teología y Maestría en Divinidad. Fue ordenado diácono el 1 de mayo de 1993 y desempeñó su ministerio en la parroquia San Juan Evangelista, en Center City, Filadelfia.

El 21 de mayo de 1994, en el Santuario del Sagrado Corazón de Washington, fue ordenado sacerdote por el entonces obispo Sean O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Se ofreció como voluntario para la misión capuchina en Papúa Nueva Guinea, a donde fue enviado. Entre 1994 y 2004 sirvió principalmente a los pueblos de habla kewa y wiri en las regiones de Kagua, Ialibu y Pangia, en la provincia de Southern Highlands, y llegó a dominar con fluidez el tok pisin melanesio. Durante ese período trabajó estrechamente con líderes laicos y catequistas. De 2002 a 2004 fue Director de Novicios del Noviciado Capuchino de Pangia.

Como preparación para la misión en Cuba, el Obispo Emilio regresó a los Estados Unidos en 2005 y realizó estudios en el Instituto Pontificio Juan Pablo II para Estudios sobre el Matrimonio y la Familia de la Universidad Católica de América, en Washington, donde obtuvo la Licenciatura en Sagrada Teología (S.T.L.) con la calificación de Magna Cum Laude.

En 2007, el Obispo Emilio inició su ministerio en Cuba, donde sirvió durante doce años. Pasó su primer año en La Habana; luego fue durante tres años párroco de la parroquia La Pastora, en Santa Clara; y los últimos ocho años ejerció su ministerio en el oriente del país, en la Diócesis de Bayamo-Manzanillo, como párroco de la parroquia La Purísima Concepción de Manzanillo.

El 1 de marzo de 2019, el Obispo Emilio fue nombrado párroco del Santuario del Sagrado Corazón, en Washington, D.C. El Santuario del Sagrado Corazón cuenta con aproximadamente 5,000 familias y se caracteriza por su diversidad cultural, celebrando cada fin de semana el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa en cinco idiomas: inglés, español, criollo haitiano, vietnamita y portugués.

En la Provincia de San Agustín de los Frailes Menores Capuchinos, el Obispo Emilio fue elegido Tercer Consejero Provincial en 2022 y, posteriormente, Vicario Provincial y Primer Consejero en 2025. Habla con fluidez inglés, español y tok pisin melanesio.

A new Shepherd for Venice

Posted on May 15, 2026May 15, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Mandatory resignation accepted for Bishop Frank J. Dewane; Capuchin Franciscan priest named as new Prelate

By Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

On May 13, 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, and appointed Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap., as Bishop-elect of Venice, a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, and native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the new shepherd of the 10-county Southwest Florida Diocese.

The announcement was made by Pope Leo early in the morning on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and announced by Bishop Emeritus Frank J. Dewane at a press conference later that morning.

Bishop Dewane introduced the Bishop-elect Biosca, a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Augustine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who since 2018 has served as Pastor of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1994, for the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Augustine. He also served as a missionary in Papua New Guinea and later in Cuba. (See full bio on Page 2.)

“In accord with canon law, I submitted my resignation to the Pope over a year ago on my seventy-fifth birthday, and, with the appointment of Bishop-elect Agüero, it is now formally accepted,” Bishop Dewane said. “As of today, I am officially the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and have been appointed its Apostolic Administrator until the day of Bishop-elect Agüero’s ordination which will take place on July 11, 2026.”

After being formally introduced by Bishop Dewane, Bishop-elect Biosca said having heard from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to the United States, he accepted the appointment with trust in the Divine Providence of God. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Holy Father, Pope Leo, for “his prayerful support and for the confidence he has placed in me through this appointment. Mindful of the weight of this responsibility, I entrust myself to Our Lady of Mercy and to St. Mark, co-patrons of this youthful and thriving Diocese of Venice.”

“I am thrilled to be here and filled with joy to begin this new chapter together in faith and charity. I am also eager to join you in the great task of evangelization, growing together in our knowledge of Christ and sharing the profound hope of the Gospel,” Bishop-elect Biosca said.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Bishop Dewane, who has faithfully shepherded this local Church for 20 years. His pastoral charity, generous heart, and warm welcome have already been a great gift to me. I look forward to continuing to seek his guidance as I begin this ministry.”

Bishop-elect Biosca also thanked his Capuchin Provincial Minister, Father Robert Marva, the members of the Provincial Council, and his Capuchin brothers for their fraternal and prayerful support throughout his life. He then thanked Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, of the Archdiocese of Washington, and Bishop Juan Esposito-Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, for their support during the past days in preparation for this announcement.

Bishop-elect Biosca then shared words from the “Saving of Light and Love,” (#73) of St. John the Cross, which has accompanied him throughout his life: “What does it profit you to give God one thing, if He ask of you another? Consider what – it is – God wants, and then do it. You will as a result better satisfy your heart than, with that, toward which you yourself are inclined.”

“I look forward to entering into the life of this local Church: to know its people, to understand its history, to appreciate its customs and traditions, and to learn the events that have shaped the spiritual character of this region,” Bishop-elect Biosca added. “I hope to discover not only the history written in books and archives, but also the living history preserved in families, parishes, neighborhoods, and their witness to Christ.”

To the priests of the Diocese, who Bishop-elect Biosca said were going to be his principal and closest collaborators, he offered his fraternal greeting and deep respect. He expects to meet with the priests in small groups and individually, praying together, listening to them, and serving with them. Bishop-elect Biosca offered the same greeting to the men and women religious of the Diocese, thanking them for the witness of their consecrated lives and hopes to meet with them and support their evangelical form of life in the Church. In addition, Bishop-elect Biosca extended his gratitude to the lay leaders of the Diocese and of the Parishes, whose fidelity and generous service prove indispensable to the mission and structure of the Church. “Their witness in marriage and extended family reveals the vitality of the Gospel lived in daily life.”

Bishop-elect Biosca also offered comments in Spanish and concluded by saying, “I ask for your prayers, that I may serve faithfully and joyfully as a shepherd after the Heart of Christ for the Good Shepherd. God Bless you!”

Earlier in the day, Bishop Dewane introduced the new shepherd Bishop-elect Biosca to the staff of the Diocesan Catholic Center who were waiting for him at the entrance. After a few comments from both Bishop and Bishop-elect, the staff applauded their greetings, with many offering personal well-wishes. A short time later Bishop Dewane and Bishop-elect Biosca concelebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Diocesan staff in the Catholic Center Chapel. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, concelebrated.

A press conference in the Catholic Center main conference room took place, where both Bishop-elect Biosca and Bishop Dewane fielded questions. In addition to the media, also present were Diocesan priests and religious, as well as select invited lay leaders.

Bishop Dewane came to serve the Diocese of Venice in 2006, after serving as Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace where he served as a delegate of the Holy See to numerous international conferences and world summits, presenting the position of the Church, allowing for pastoral encounters with people throughout the world. As Bishop Dewane transitions to retirement, he said he looks forward to spending more time in prayer, study and travel.

“It has been a great joy for me to have ministered here for the past 20 years,” Bishop Dewane said. “I am pleased and very proud of the Catholic Community of the Diocese, who they are and who they are becoming, by their witness to Christ. This has become possible by the great pastoral care and service that the priests, both Diocesan and Religious, have provided. As I retire, it is my plan to remain in the Diocese of Venice, which has become my home as it has for so many others from the Midwest. To the Priests, Deacons, and joy-filled laity, thank you all for being a wonderful family of faith, hope, and love. I look forward to my continued home here assisting the new Bishop pastorally, in any manner I can.”

Biography: Bishop–elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap.

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Bob Reddy

Biography: Bishop–elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap.

Born: Dec. 15, 1964, Colorado Springs, Colorado
1st Profession Capuchin Franciscan Brother – St. Conrad Novitiate, Pittsburgh, Pa. July 16, 1988, Capuchin Province of St. Augustine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Diaconate Ordination – Basilica Immaculate Conception Washington, DC, May 1, 1993
Priesthood Ordination – Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Washington, May 21, 1994

Entered the Capuchin Franciscans in 1984, making first profession of vows in Pittsburgh on July 16, 1988. Having completed philosophical and theological studies was ordained to the diaconate on May 1, 1993, and served at St. John the Evangelist in Center City Philadelphia. Ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1994.

As a newly ordained priest, volunteered and was sent to serve in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea from 1994-2005 in the Capuchin mission. Served predominantly the Kewa and Wiri speaking peoples in the Kagua, Ialibu and Pangia areas. During this period, worked closely with lay leaders and catechists. Served as the Director of Novices for the Capuchin Novitiate in Pangia from 2002-2004.

From January 2005 to January 2007, in preparation for the mission in Cuba, studied at the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Washington DC. STL degree, Magnum Cum Laude.

Entered Cuba on February 1, 2007. Served for 12 years, until February 11, 2019. The first year in Havana. Three years in Santa Clara and the last eight years on the eastern side of the country in Bayamo-Manzanillo.

On March 1, 2019, named Pastor at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.

Hobbies/Special Interests:

Grew-up playing many outdoor sports: baseball, basketball, football, especially soccer on organized teams from the age of 5-6 until entrance into the Capuchins Franciscans at 19.
Enjoy reading, especially the Scriptures, various Catechisms, spirituality and history.
Enjoy participating in pilgrimages on foot.
As a missionary priest, especially interested in the spiritual formation of men and women as they enter the Catholic Church and renew their faith through creative OCIA programs that include marriage preparation.

Languages/Cultures:

Fluency in three (3) languages. Served as Pastor in: English, Spanish, Melanesian Tok Pisin.