Special Edition, August 20, 2026
After consultation, Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., announces the following appointments and confirmations:
Reverend David M. Vidal, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, and Moderator of the Curia, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, for a time.
Reverend Robert Dziedziak, as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish in Longboat Key.
Very Reverend Robert Kantor, as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, and therefore, relieved of his duties as Vicar Forane while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Naples, for a time.
Very Reverend Monsignor Patrick Dubois, V.F., as Vicar Forane for the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Rector of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
Very Reverend José González, V.F., as Vicar Forane for the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Catherine Parish in Sebring.
Reverend Tomasz Zalewski, as Vicar Forane for the Southern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples.
Reverend Jayabalan Raju, as Vicar Forane for the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers.
Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk, J.C.D., J.D., as Chancellor of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026.
Very Reverend Monsignor Stephen McNamara, is relieved of his duties as Vicar Forane of the Central Deanery, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to Monsignor McNamara for his years of service as Vicar Forane for the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Venice since 2003 and as Vicar General since 2010.
Very Reverend Joseph Waters, J.C.L., is relieved of his duties as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice while retaining other duties as Judge at the Tribunal. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to Father Waters for his eleven years of service as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice. Father Waters has assumed responsibilities as Vicar General in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Judicial Vicar, and Pastor of St. John Vianney in St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Reverend David M. Vidal, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, and Moderator of the Curia, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, for a time.
Reverend Robert Dziedziak, as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish in Longboat Key.
Very Reverend Robert Kantor, as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, and therefore, relieved of his duties as Vicar Forane while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Naples, for a time.
Very Reverend Monsignor Patrick Dubois, V.F., as Vicar Forane for the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Rector of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
Very Reverend José González, V.F., as Vicar Forane for the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Catherine Parish in Sebring.
Reverend Tomasz Zalewski, as Vicar Forane for the Southern Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples.
Reverend Jayabalan Raju, as Vicar Forane for the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers.
Dr. Volodymyr Smeryk, J.C.D., J.D., as Chancellor of the Diocese of Venice, effective August 20, 2026.
Very Reverend Monsignor Stephen McNamara, is relieved of his duties as Vicar Forane of the Central Deanery, while retaining his responsibilities as Pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to Monsignor McNamara for his years of service as Vicar Forane for the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Venice since 2003 and as Vicar General since 2010.
Very Reverend Joseph Waters, J.C.L., is relieved of his duties as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice while retaining other duties as Judge at the Tribunal. At the same time, an expression of gratitude is extended to Father Waters for his eleven years of service as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Venice. Father Waters has assumed responsibilities as Vicar General in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Judicial Vicar, and Pastor of St. John Vianney in St. Pete Beach, Florida.