Zenon Grocholewski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Zenon Grocholewski |
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| Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education | |
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| Appointed | 15 November 1999 |
| Reign ended | 31 March 2015 |
| Predecessor | Pio Laghi |
| Successor | Giuseppe Versaldi |
| Other posts | Cardinal Priest of San Nicola in Carcere (2001–2020) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 27 May 1963 |
| Consecration | 6 January 1983 by Pope John Paul II |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 2001 |
| Rank | Cardinal priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Zenon Grocholewski |
| Born | 11 October 1939 Bródki, Poland |
| Died | July 17, 2020 (aged 80) Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | Illum oportet crescere ('He must increase', John 3:30) |
| Styles of Zenon Grocholewski |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Acropolis (titular) |
Zenon Grocholewski (born October 11, 1939 – died July 17, 2020) was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Poland. He became a cardinal in 2001. A cardinal is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, usually chosen by the Pope.
He started working for the Roman Curia in 1972. The Roman Curia is like the central government of the Catholic Church. From 1999 to 2015, he was the head of the Congregation for Catholic Education. This group helps guide Catholic schools and universities around the world. He was also the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University, a famous university in Rome.
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Life Story of Zenon Grocholewski
Zenon Grocholewski was born in a place called Bródki in Poland. His parents were Stanisław and Józefa Grocholewski. He studied to become a priest at a special school in Poznań. He became a priest on May 27, 1963.
Early Career in the Church
In 1972, he started working for the Apostolic Signatura. This is the highest court in the Catholic Church. On December 21, 1982, he became a titular bishop of Acropolis. A titular bishop is a bishop who does not lead a diocese (a church district) but holds a title from an ancient one. He was made a bishop by Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1983. Later, on December 16, 1991, Pope John Paul II made him an Archbishop.
On November 15, 1999, Pope John Paul II chose him to lead the Congregation for Catholic Education. This important job also made him the head of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Becoming a Cardinal
Pope John Paul II made Zenon Grocholewski a cardinal on January 21, 2001. When Pope John Paul II passed away in 2005, Cardinal Grocholewski's job automatically ended. However, the new Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, confirmed him in his role on April 21, 2005.
Cardinal Grocholewski was one of the cardinals who voted in the 2005 election that chose Pope Benedict XVI. He also voted in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.
He was a member of several important groups within the Catholic Church. These groups help make decisions about different parts of church life, like teaching and how bishops are chosen. Cardinal Grocholewski also represented the Pope at a big celebration in Manila, Philippines. This event marked 400 years since the University of Santo Tomas was founded.
On March 31, 2015, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi to take over Grocholewski's role as the head of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
Zenon Grocholewski passed away on July 17, 2020, at the age of 80.
Teaching and Studies
Zenon Grocholewski was also a teacher. He taught at two important universities in Rome: the Pontifical Gregorian University (from 1975 to 1999) and the Pontifical Lateran University (from 1980 to 1984). He also gave lectures on law at the Roman Rota, which is another church court.
He wrote many articles and books, with over 550 publications in total. He often spoke at conferences and meetings in different countries. He was also involved with several groups that study Canon Law, which is the law of the Catholic Church.
Leading Catholic Education
As the head of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Cardinal Grocholewski worked to improve how philosophy is taught in Catholic schools. In 2011, he explained that there was a need to make philosophical studies stronger. He believed that philosophy, which is the study of knowledge and reality, is very important for understanding theology (the study of religious faith).
He said that schools needed to teach philosophy better, especially focusing on finding truth and understanding deeper meanings. This was to make sure students had a strong foundation for their religious studies.
Awards and Honors
Cardinal Grocholewski received many awards and honors during his life. He was given more than 20 honorary doctorates from universities around the world. Some of his other awards include:
- The Grand Medal of San Gorazdo from Slovakia (2000)
- The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Chile) from Chile (2003)
- The Grand Cross of Merit with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of Germany (2005)
- The Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta from Poland (2009)
- Commander of l’Ordre des Palmes académiques from France (2009)
Images for kids
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Order of Merit (Chile), Grand Cross (2003)
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Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Grand Cross of Merit with Star and Sash (2005)
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Order of Polonia Restituta, Commander's Cross with Star (2009)
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Ordre des Palmes Académiques (France), Commandeur (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Zenon Grocholewski para niños
