Bishop led without losing his humanity
Friends say he always had time to lend an ear and a helping hand.
By Jeff Brumley
The Times-Union
6/9/2007

The Right Rev. Stephen Jecko, former bishop of the Jacksonville-based Episcopal Diocese of Florida, died Thursday night in Dallas after a bout with cancer. He was 67.

Friends and colleagues described Bishop Jecko as a quiet, compassionate leader who had a pastoral touch in leading the Northeast Florida diocese from 1994 to 2004.

Bishop Jecko, who was assistant bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas when he died, also was a leader in efforts to move the Episcopal Church USA in a more conservative theological direction.

"I am deeply distressed for the church and for his family," said the Right Rev. Frank Cerveny, the bishop who preceded Bishop Jecko in Jacksonville. the rest