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WASHINGTON (April 25, 2006)—Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Frank J. Dewane, Undersecretary of the Holy See's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as Coadjutor Bishop of Venice, Florida.
A Coadjutor bishop enjoys the right of succession which means he becomes head of the diocese upon the retirement or death of the incumbent bishop. Most Reverend John J. Nevins is Bishop of Venice.
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment.
Frank J. Dewane was born in Wisconsin, March 9, 1950. He attended public elementary and secondary schools in Denmark, Wisconsin. From 1968 to 1972 he studied at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. From 1973 to 1975 he studied at American University, Washington, obtaining a Masters in Administration in International Affairs. During 1975-76 he continued studies at George Washington University.
From 1976 to 1983 he worked for various companies with international experience, especially in Russia.
He entered the Seminary of Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1983, studying philosophy from 1983 to 1984. After a brief period in the seminary of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, he
decided to enter the diocesan seminary. From 1984 to 1988 he studied at the North American College in Rome, attaining a Bachelor in theology from the Gregorian University in 1986 and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Angelicum in 1988.
Msgr. Dewane was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, on July 16, 1988.
Following ordination, he was Parochial Vicar, SS. Peter and Paul Church, Green Bay, 1989-1991, an official of the Green Bay diocesan tribunal, 1989-1991, Collaborator of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See at the United Nations, 1991-1995, and an official of the Pontifical Council, "Cor Unum, 1995 to 2001.
Bishop-designate Dewane was appointed Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in 2002.