Our Bishop John J. Nevins was born in New Rochelle, NY, January 19, 1932. He earned a 
Master of Arts degree at Tulane University, studied at the Catholic University of 
America in Washington, and was ordained a priest of the Miami archdiocese, June 6, 
1959. Appointed Titular Bishop of Rusticiana and Auxiliary Bishop of Miami on January 
25, 1979, he was ordained March 24, 1979. He was appointed first Bishop of Venice July 
27, 1984, and installed October 25, 1984.

Along with the Diocese of Palm Beach, the Diocese of Venice was created in 1984 from 
portions of the Archdiocese of Miami and the dioceses of Orlando and St. Petersburg.

Bishop Nevins' motto has always been "Serve with Mercy."

In his 22 years as bishop, he has increased the parishes of the diocese by 15, and the 
number of chapels and missions to 13.

Starting with 39 parishes and 116,495 Catholics spread throughout its 10-county 
boundaries, the new diocese — established Oct. 25, 1984 — experienced its share of 
growing pains like any child. Its parishes began straining at the seams as the numbers 
of faithful grew, nearly doubling to 231,934 registered Catholics in 2006.

With the Catholic Center, the new diocesan ministries now had a place to call home. 
Among these was the Pastoral Ministries Department headed by Terry and Mimi Reilly from 
Miami. The Reillys launched several offices in the department, including Family Life, 
Lay, Respect Life, Youth and Older Catholics. Others followed, such as Criminal 
Justice, Black Catholics, Peace and Justice, Persons with Disabilities, Divorced and 
Separated, AFCAAM (African Caribbean American) and Campus ministries.

Different movements and organizations also began throughout the diocese, including the 
Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the many Knights of Columbus councils affiliated 
with parishes, and also Cursillo, Marriage Encounter and Charismatic Renewal.

On the other hand our new bishop Frank J. Dewane of Diocese of Venice to whom we give 
the welcome, was born in Green Bay, March 9, 1950, and 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, D.C., obtaining a Masters in 
Administration in the field of international affairs. During 1975-76 he studied at 
George Washington University.

From 1976 to 1983 he worked for various international companies, especially in Russia.

He entered the Seminary of Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1983. After a brief period in the 
Seminary of the Holy Cross, he decided to enter the diocesan seminary. From 1984 to 
1988 he studied at the North American College, Rome, attaining a bachelor in theology 
from the Gregorian University in 1986 and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Angelicum 
in 1988. 

Bishop Dewane was ordained a priest of the Green Bay diocese, 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,” 1995-2001.

Bishop Dewane was serving as Undersecretary for the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for 
Justice and Peace when he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Venice, April 25, 2006. He 
was ordained July 25, 2006. (Some datas taken from newspeper 7 days)