How Did Frank Griswold Die? Cause of Death Explained

Publish date: 2024-05-21

On March 5th, 2023, news broke that Frank Griswold III, the former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, had died at the age of 85. Griswold was a well-known and respected leader in the Episcopal Church, serving as its presiding bishop from 1997 to 2006. His death affected many to reflect on his life and legacy, as well as to consider the impact that he had on the church and the world. Keep reading the article to know more about Frank Grisworld in detail, including who he was, how he died, what was the cause of his death, tributes for him, and many more!

Who Was Frank Griswold?

Frank Griswold was born in 1937 in Mawr, Pennsylvania. He attended Harvard University, where he earned a degree in English literature, and later went on to study at the General Theological Seminary in New York. After his ordination as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1963, Griswold served in a number of different parishes and positions before being elected as the bishop of Chicago in 1987.

He later served as the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1997 to 2006. Three grandchildren, two daughters, Hannah and Eliza, as well as Frank Griswold’s wife Phoebe, are all living members of Frank Griswold.

More About Frank Griswold:

During his tenure as presiding bishop, Griswold was known for his commitment to social justice and his efforts to promote reconciliation and dialogue within the church and in the wider world. He was a strong advocate for the ordination of women and LGBTQ individuals and worked to create a more inclusive and welcoming church. Griswold was also deeply committed to interfaith dialogue and cooperation and was instrumental in forging closer ties between the Episcopal Church and other religious traditions.

One of Griswold’s most notable achievements as presiding bishop was his role in the development of the Anglican Communion’s response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. In 1998, he summon the first-ever international conference on AIDS and the church, which brought together religious leaders from around the world to discuss how the church could respond to the epidemic. Griswold was a vocal advocate for greater compassion and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and his leadership helped to shift the church’s response to the crisis.

Despite his many accomplishments, Griswold’s tenure as presiding bishop was not without controversy. His support for the devotion of Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church led to a division within the Anglican Communion.

Some conservative Anglican leaders accused Griswold of promoting an agenda that was contrary to traditional Christian teaching, and tensions between the Episcopal Church and other Anglican provinces continued to simmer for years.

How Did Frank Griswold Die? Cause of Death Explained

The 25th senior bishop of The Episcopal Church, and the Rt. Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III, sadly passed away on March 5, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with his beloved family by his side.

The exact cause of Griswold’s death has not been announced yet, but according to his family’s statement, when everything is agreed upon, what caused his passing, the funeral arrangements, and burial plans will be released.

The Episcopal Church announced Griswold’s passing with a Facebook post, and they also wrote a touchy tribute for him, saying

“Praying for Bishop Griswold’s family and we are grateful for a remarkable and obedient worker of God who served among us as the 25th presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church.”

Tributes Poured in for Frank Griswold

Griswold’s sudden passing has met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the Episcopal Church and beyond.

Zack Nyein posted on Facebook with a statement, “I still recall his great morning lectures on growing the gifts of the Spirit in the midst of turbulent times in our denomination. May he find peace and climb to greatness.”

In a statement, current presiding bishop Michael Curry described Griswold as a “prophetic voice of love and justice” who “worked tirelessly to build bridges and tear down walls, to heal divisions and bring people together.”

Susan Russel wrote,

“Remembering the labor and witness of late presiding bishop Frank Tracy Griswold, who passed away this morning at the age of 85, together with the rest of the church. Here is a photo from 2005 showing him heading “Team TEC” as we arrived in Nottingham for the Anglican Consultative Council conference where we would be representing the Episcopal Church and responding to The Windsor Report.”

Matthew Gunter mentioned, “The news that Frank Griswold had passed away greeted me when I got home this afternoon. Bishop Griswold served as the bishop of Chicago when I first moved there right out of seminary.”

The church is still inspired and challenged by Griswold’s dedication to social justice, his fight for the oppressed and underprivileged, as well as his dream of a church that is welcome, inclusive, and attentive to the needs of all people.

We offer Frank Griswold’s friends and family our deepest condolences as they go through this difficult time. Continue to visit here to read more articles of the same type, and don’t forget to let us know what you think and what you liked best about our website.

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