Welcome Bishop-elect Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap.!
A Statement from Bishop Frank J. Dewane on the appointment of the new Shepherd for the Diocese of Venice in Florida
May 13, 2026
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is with gratitude to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, that I announce in the Diocese of Venice in Florida, that Our Holy Father, following prayerful discernment is appointing a new Shepherd for the Diocese of Venice in Florida: Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap., a priest ordained on May 21, 1994 for the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Augustine (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Having served in assignments for the Province, both overseas and within the United States, Bishop-elect has for the past seven years been the Pastor at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish in Washington, D.C and has held numerous leadership positions within his Religious Community. Son of an immigrant family with 7 children, Bishop-elect is enthusiastic, with a strong pastoral spirit and particular devotion to the Virgin Mary and to serving the People of God. With all of you, I welcome him to our Diocesan family, which will be greatly blessed by his ministry, and I very much look forward to getting to know him as in just a few days he has shown himself to be a deeply spiritual and exceptional priest.
Our new Bishop is coming to a Diocese that is growing at a rapid pace with families and individuals that evidence a vibrant faith and diverse backgrounds. It has been a great joy for me to have ministered here for the past twenty years. 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.
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. 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. I can assure Bishop Emilio that he will not see occasional snowfall, just an occasional hurricane or two.
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. I also look forward to more time for prayer, study and travel.
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.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Venice in Florida
For more information on Bishop-elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, OFM Cap. click here.
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Reminder: Consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
As the United States of America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joins the festivities by recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country.
As part of this celebration, in a historic moment the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026. Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus signals to God that His goodness is not forgotten and that our country relies on God’s providence for continued flourishing, bringing blessing and hope to a country suffering from wounds of division and an epidemic of loneliness. More about what consecrating the United States of American to the Sacred Heart of Jesus means and how it can bless our nation can be found
here.Parishes across the country, including here in the Diocese of Venice, are asked to join in this consecration. Guidance in planning this celebration within a Mass can be found
here.
All Catholics are encouraged to join the United States bishops in praying for the unity and healing of our country. One opportunity for parishes and individuals to participate is by contributing to a collective
250 Hours of Adoration and 250 Works of Mercy. Guidance for how to participate in both can be found
here.A
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will begin on June 3, 2026. It is asked that all the faithful in the Diocese of Venice join the U.S. Church in praying this Novena, which draws its daily devotions from the
Litany of the Sacred Heart. The Novena, which will conclude with the Consecration on June 11, can be found
here.A
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is linked below, in English and Spanish. Additional resources from the USCCB regarding the 250th commemoration and celebration can be found
here.Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Oración al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús en español