Vitus Huonder

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 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 the revitalization of Sacred Tradition, 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 Huonder was buried at the International Seminary of Saint Pius X in Écône next to the tomb of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.^[7] 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.^[8]

• "Bishop Vitus Huonder". Catholic Hierarchy.

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