Fresno, Calif., Dec 6, 2010 / 13:22 pm
Bishop John T. Steinbock of Fresno, California died in the early morning of Dec. 5, in the company of his friends, family and his pastor. He was 73.
In August 2010, the bishop announced his diagnosis of stage three cancer in his lungs and lymph nodes, and began receiving radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Although he responded well to the initial treatments, he complained of breathing difficulties and was subsequently diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs and legs in November.
During the previous month, he had written and distributed a letter in which he reflected on his disease and the theological meaning of suffering. “The Affliction of Cancer: An Essay on a Christian Perspective” is available through the Diocese of Fresno's website at www.dioceseoffresno.org.
“Faith in God's love is more important than life itself,” the late bishop wrote, in the essay published eight weeks before his death. “Only in Christian revelation does suffering take on a positive meaning … When one person unites his or her suffering with that of Jesus, everyone throughout the world benefits.”