Vitus_Huonder

Vitus Huonder

Vitus Huonder

Swiss traditionalist Catholic bishop (1942–2024)

Vitus Huonder (21 April 1942 – 3 April 2024) was a Swiss prelate of the Catholic Church. A Traditionalist Catholic, he served as Bishop of Chur from 2007 to 2019; after his retirement he joined the Society of Saint Pius X.

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Biography

Vitus Huonder was born in Trun on 21 April 1942. He studied at the Pontifical Atheneum Saint Anselm and at the University of Fribourg, earning a licentiate in theology. He was ordained a priest of the diocese of Chur on 25 September 1971 and then continued his studies, earning a doctorate in theology in Fribourg. He became vicar general of Chur in 1998.[1]

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop of Chur on 8 July 2007.[1] He received his episcopal consecration on 8 September 2007 from Amédée Grab, his predecessor as bishop of Chur.[citation needed] His tenure proved controversial to some, as he reaffirmed orthodox Catholic doctrine in strong and uncompromising terms.[2][3]

Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 20 May 2019.[4] Huonder then chose to live out his retirement in an institute of the Society of Saint Pius X, with papal authorization, with the intention of living a quiet and prayerful life, celebrating the Tridentine Mass, and working for Sacred Tradition, the revitalization of which he saw as the only means of restoration of the Church.[5]

On 3 April 2024, Huonder died at the age of 81 in the Sancta Maria Institute in Wangs, following a serious illness.[6] His funeral Mass on 17 April was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Fellay, and he was buried at the International Seminary of Saint Pius X in Écône next to the tomb of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.[7]

References

  1. [1]
    "Rinunce e Nomine, 08.07.2007" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  2. [2]
    "'Death to gays' Bishop of Chur retires". Swiss Info. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  3. [3]
    "Retired Swiss bishop to live in SSPX home". La Croix International. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. [4]
    "Resignations and Appointments, 20.05.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  5. [5]
    "Joint communiqué of Bishop Huonder and Father Pagliarani". FSSPX.Actualités / FSSPX.News. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  6. [6]
    "Im Herrn verstorben: emeritierter Bischof Vitus Huonder". Bistum Chur. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  7. [7]
    Funérailles de Mgr Vitus Huonder - Écône - 17 avril 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
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