Mgr. Boniface Grosvold passes away, Stephenian Patriarchate joins in mourning

by Rev. G. Smith

LONDON, Ontario 21 July 2016 (ORCNS) - His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor Boniface Grosvold, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Old Roman Catholic Church - Latin Rite, passed away on 21 July 2016 in the ICU of University Hospital, London, Ontario. The Patriarchate of St. Stephen joins in mourning the loss to traditional Catholicism. The Archbishop had been a friend and supporter of the unique traditions and historic role of the Patriarchate, especially the cardinalate. He also maintained positive relations with the local jurisdictions of the Roman Communion.

In a special statement, Cardinal Archprince Rutherford, Patriarch of St. Stephen, said, "The Archbishop's passing is indeed sad. We have lost a noteworthy colleague. I will always remember our conversations and His Excellency's unique pastoral style. My condolences to the Old Roman Catholic Church - Latin Rite in Europe, Britain, the United States, and specially Mgr. Grosvold's home country of Canada."

Mgr. Grosvold was born on 4 June 1942 in Chester, Nova Scotia. On 28 October 1969, he received the First Tonsure and was admitted as a cleric by H.E. Mgr. Nelson Dudley Hillyer. He was ordained to the priesthood on 31 August 1970 by H.E. Mgr. Earl Anglin Lawrence James. Mgr. Grosvold was consecrated to the episcopate and named Auxiliary Bishop for the Old Roman Catholic Diocese of Ontario on 20 July 1974. Later that same year, His Excellency was enthroned as the second Bishop of the Old Roman Catholic Diocese of Niagara Falls, New York, and Ontario. Then, in September 1976, he was elected Metropolitan-Archbishop and Primate of the Old Roman Catholic Church - Latin Rite.