I have an abundant amount of gratitude for his many years of ministry to the Church and his friendship as my fellow brother Bishop in Florida.  

Bishop Dewane served as the spiritual leader for over 250,000 Catholics in our neighboring Diocese of Venice. He loyally served the Church as a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, following his ordination in 1988, until he became Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in 2007.  

In addition to his ministry in the Diocese, he served the universal Church through the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations and later in Rome, serving as Under Secretary with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He was a true leader to the Church in the United States through his work with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and with many Catholic organizations and charities.  

In May of 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted Bishop Dewane’s retirement from his office of Bishop of the Diocese of Venice after 20 years of faithful service. Today, I mourn his passing and give thanks to God for his life and service to the Church.  

On behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, I extend my deepest sympathy to Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., to the entire Diocese of Venice and to Bishop Dewane’s family, friends and all who were blessed by his life and ministry.

May this humble servant of the Lord now rest in the peace of Christ.

Bishop Gregory Parkes