Florida's newest bishop ordained in Venice with 1,500 in attendance

Published: 2006-08-01

VENICE, Fla. (CNS) -- The 1,500 people attending the episcopal ordination of Bishop-designate Frank J. Dewane outnumbered the total population of Cooperstown, Wis., a farming village 20 miles southwest of Green Bay that is the bishop's hometown. But nearly 10 percent of Cooperstown's 1,403 residents -- 126 people -- came to Epiphany Cathedral in Venice July 25 to beam over their native son as Bishop John J. Nevins of Venice ordained him as his new coadjutor. Four cardinals, 22 bishops, 200 priests and 53 nuns as well as deacons, Knights of Columbus and Knights and Dames of Malta also contributed to the celebration that was broadcast live on television throughout the 9,000-square-mile diocese. The afternoon ceremony combined traditional rites, magnificent music from the Venice diocesan choir and a bit of Bishop Nevins' humor. Co-consecrators for the ordination were Archbishop John C. Favalora of Miami and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland. Also participating were Cardinals William H. Keeler of Baltimore, Adam J. Maida of Detroit, Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Bishop Dewane, 56, will become the second bishop of Venice when Bishop Nevins retires or dies.

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