Biography
Vitus Huonder was born in Trun, Switzerland, 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. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop of Chur on 8 July 2007. He received his episcopal consecration on 8 September 2007 from Amédée Grab, his predecessor as bishop of Chur. His tenure proved controversial to some, as he reaffirmed orthodox Catholic doctrine in strong and uncompromising terms. Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 20 May 2019. 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 the revitalization of Sacred Tradition, which he saw as the only means of restoration of the Church. On 3 April 2024, Huonder died at the age of 81 in the Sancta Maria Institute in Vilters-Wangs, Wangs, following a serious illness. His funeral Mass on 17 April was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Fellay, and Huonder was buried at the International Seminary of Saint Pius X in Écône next to the tomb of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Huonder's successor, Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain, attended the funeral, but did not take part in the celebration, due to the irregular canonical situation of the SSPX.References
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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Huonder, Vitus 1942 births 2024 deaths Bishops of Chur Bishops appointed by Pope Benedict XVI People from Surselva District Swiss traditionalist Catholics 21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in Switzerland