Bishop John Steinbock of the Diocese of Fresno Dies from from Lung Cancer

'Cancer of itself is not a gift, but the grace to accept it, embrace it, and give thanks for it, is the greater gift of God within me, so that Jesus may continue his passion in me, so that Jesus may continue to glorify His Father in me, so Jesus may testify to His great love in my life, so that we may realize that a greater life awaits us.'

P>FRESNO, CA. (Catholic Online) - The Catholic Diocese of Fresno has over 1 million members and encompasses a large geographical section of the Central Valley of California, including counties of Merced, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera and Kern along with Inyo County on the eastern side of the Sierra. It is now a Diocese without a Bishop.

At 3:15 A. M. on Sunday morning, December 5, 2010, Bishop John Steinbock died at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California. The Bishop had been battling Stage 3 lung cancer. Bishop Steinbock came to this assignment 19 years ago from Los Angeles, Califronia. He was appointed the Fourth Bishop of Fresno by the Venerable John Paul II. He was ordained a priest  in 1963.  He was 73 years old when he died.

Bishop Steinbock recently wrote a reflective piece on the experiences he had with suffering since being diagnosed with lung cancer. It seems a fitting tribute to the ongoing power of faith as we report the news of his passing. In that reflection he expressed his hopes, in his own words, that people touched with similar suffering would  "reflect on this suffering in light of God's great providential and merciful love."

In the essay, "The Affliction of Cancer: A Christian Perspective", available in its entirety on the Diocesan web site here , the late Bishop wrote: "Cancer of itself is not a gift, but the grace to accept it, embrace it, and give thanks for it, is the greater gift of God within me, so that Jesus may continue his passion in me, so that Jesus may continue to glorify His Father in me, so Jesus may testify to His great love in my life, so that we may realize that a greater life awaits us.

"Trust in God's providential and merciful love is at the root of our Christian faith. Everything in our lives is a gift of God, even the tragedies, pains and sorrow. Sometimes we may be conscious of God's love in the midst of suffering; other times we just need "blind" faith. "Blind" faith is a gift of God itself, to have total trust though one does not understand the "why" of suffering. This essay will hopefully help anyone going through cancer, or who has a loved one going through cancer, reflect on this suffering in light of God's great providential and merciful love.

"For those without faith in a loving God it is impossible to realize that suffering can be understood as a gift of God, and it would be impossible to experience that inner joy and peace that absolute trust in God's providential love alone can bring us, no matter in what situation we find ourselves. It is only with faith in Jesus as the Son of God, who has shared our suffering that we are able to find meaning in suffering.

"I have often reflected on what the famous dramatist and diplomat of France, Paul Claudel, said with such wisdom and faith: "Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it. He came to fill it with His presence." Often it is only long after the suffering has passed, that we begin to understand more fully God's loving hand in our lives even at that time."

Arrangements for the Funeral Mass have not yet been announced. We invite our readers to join in prayer for the repose of the soul of Bishop Steinbock, for the faithful of his Diocese and for wisdom for the Holy See in the selection of his replacement in this important Diocese in the United States of America.

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine, et lux perpétua lúceat eis.Requiéscant in pace. Amen.

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