John Thomas Steinbock

John Thomas Steinbock (July 16, 1937 – December 5, 2010) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Fresno in California from 1991 until his death in 2010.

Steinbock previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange in California from 1984 to 1987 and as bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California from 1987 to 1991.

Biography

Early life Steinbock was born on July 16, 1937, in Los Angeles, California. Steinbock was appointed vicar general of the diocese in July 1984, and diocesan administrator in 1986.

Bishop of Santa Rosa John Paul II named Steinbock as the third bishop of Santa Rosa on January 27, 1987. In 2003, Steinbock published Ministry of Presence, a book of 100 vignettes from his 21 years ministering to the poor, immigrants and gang members in East Los Angeles, California and on skid row. He wrote:"One may not be able to respond to the many problems in people's lives, but one can be with them in their sufferings and joys. And the priest is with the people, so that they understand that the Lord Jesus is with them, loving them, suffering with them."

Retirement and legacy Steinbock died on December 5, 2010, in Fresno at age 73. He had been diagnosed with cancer in August and had been hospitalized at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno due to blood clots for about a month before his death.