Early life

Andrew Grutka was born on November 17, 1908, in Joliet, Illinois, the son of Slovak immigrants from Spišská Stará Ves. He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Grutka was ordained a priest on December 5, 1933, by Cardinal Francesco Selvaggiani for the Diocese of Fort Wayne.^[1] Grutka was serving as the pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Gary, Indiana, on his final pastoral assignment.^[2]

Bishop of Gary

On December 29, 1956, Grutka was named bishop of the newly created Diocese of Gary by Pope Pius XII. He was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani Bishops John Cody and Leo Pursley were the principal co-consecrators. From 1962 to 1965, Grutka attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome and was responsible for implementing the council's reforms in the diocese. In 1959, Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, was named for his patron, Andrew the Apostle.

Retirement and legacy

Pope John Paul II accepted Grutka's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Gary on July 9, 1984.^[3] After his resignation, Grutka remained active in the diocese, ministering to parishioners.

Andrew Grutka died at his home in Valparaiso, Indiana, on November 11, 1993, at age 85. He was entombed in the east transept of Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary.