| abstract | - He was born in Bródki to Stanisław and Józefy (née Stawińskich) Grocholewski. After studying at the archdiocesan seminary of Poznań, Grocholewski, was ordained to the priesthood on 27 May 1963 by Archbishop Antoni Baraniak, who had also previously ordained him a subdeacon and deacon. He worked for three years at Christ the King parish in Poznań before earning a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. From 1972 to 1999 he worked at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura as notary (1972-1977), chancellor (1980-1982), Secretary (1982-1998), and Prefect (1998-1999). During this time he was also one of the seven members of the commission that studied the draft of the 1983 Code of Canon Law with Pope John Paul II, and he taught canon law at the Gregorian and Lateran Universities and the Studio Rotale. Grocholewski, who was raised to a monsignor in December 1977, is assumed to be one of the most renowned contemporary experts of canon law. He was appointed the first titular bishop of Acropolis on December 21, 1982, and received his episcopal consecration on the following January 6 from John Paul II himself, with Archbishops Eduardo Martínez Somalo and Duraisamy Lourdusamy serving as co-consecrators. Grocholewski was promoted to the rank of Archbishop on December 16, 1991. On 15 November 1999 he was appointed the Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University. Grocholewski was created Cardinal Deacon of San Nicola in Carcere by John Paul II in the consistory of February 21, 2001. Upon the death of Pope John Paul all major Vatican officials automatically lose their positions during a sede vacante, and the cardinal so lost his position on April 2, 2005 due to the death of the Pope. He was later confirmed to office by Pope Benedict XVI on April 21. He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI. Along with his native Polish, he speaks Italian and English. Curial membership:
* Doctrine of the Faith, Bishops (congregations)
* Legislative Texts (council)
* Special Council for Oceania of the Secretariat General (Synod of Bishops)
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