Bishop John T. Steinbock, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, died on Saturday night.
According
to an announcement released by the church about 8:30 a.m., Bishop
Steinbock died at 3:10 a.m. surrounded by family, his pastor and friends
at Saint Agnes Medical Center.
The announcement said that
Cardinal Roger Mahony and other high-ranking church officials in
California and at the Vatican had been notified.
Plans for
services are pending.
The church said it would hold a formal press
conference this afternoon.
No other details were released.
Saturday: The medical condition of Bishop John T.
Steinbock, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, has worsened
in the past two days and he may die soon, church officials said
Saturday.
"Bishop John is still in the critical care unit of St.
Agnes Medical Center," the diocese said in a news release. "Bishop's
physical condition has gradually worsened since our last update [on
Thursday]. Breathing is more difficult. We believe that his condition is
such that he may not last more than a few days."
Steinbock's
family is aware of the bishop's condition and has visited him, the
statement said.
"Unfortunately, the St. Agnes Critical Care Unit cannot
accommodate visits for Bishop John from the general public.
"Please continue to keep Bishop John in your prayers," the statement said.
Steinbock
was admitted to Saint Agnes in early November after complaining of
shortness of breath and lack of energy. Tests revealed the bishop had a
blood clot in his right lung and others in his legs.
On Thursday,
diocese spokesman Deacon Jesse Avila said the bishop's breathing still
was labored and his medical condition was largely unchanged.
Steinbock,
73, has been the diocese's bishop since 1991. He leads a diocese of
about 1 million parishioners in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Merced,
Mariposa, Kern and Inyo counties.
In August, he announced to
church officials and parishioners that he has lung cancer. He was
treated for facial cancer in the past year.
It is unknown whether
the blood clots are related to Steinbock's cancer treatment, but the
clots are a complication to the treatment and recovery, Avila has said.
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