Bishop Delaney of Fort Worth dies before coadjutor is ordained

Published: 2005-07-13

FORT WORTH, Texas (CNS) -- Bishop Joseph P. Delaney, head of the Diocese of Fort Worth for the last 24 years, died in his sleep July 12 at his Fort Worth home. The 70-year-old prelate had battled pancreatic cancer for the last two years. Even though the cancer was in remission, he had struggled with declining health in the wake of surgery and other treatment. His death came one day before the episcopal ordination of Bishop-designate Kevin W. Vann, appointed as coadjutor bishop of Fort Worth in May. The ceremony was to go forward but with Bishop Vann installed as head of the diocese. Bishop Delaney was only the second bishop of Fort Worth and led the 28-county diocese and its more than 400,000 Catholics during a time of growth and change.

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