Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold

The Most Reverend Frank Tracy Griswold III died March 5, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A renowned preacher known for his warmth and wit, Griswold served as the twenty-fifth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, leading the protestant denomination from 1996 to 2005. Griswold who also co-chaired the Roman Catholic-Anglican Commission from 1998 to 2003 and made significant contributions to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and its practical use in the liturgical life of the church. Griswold’s private spiritual practice was deeply informed by the early mothers and fathers of the church, and he championed eastern traditions of the open-hearted and healing power of God’s love. Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in 1937, Griswold earned a Bachelor of Arts at Harvard College and a Masters of Arts from Oriel College, Oxford University. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1963. He married his beloved wife, Phoebe Wetzel, in 1965, and they raised two daughters in Philadelphia and Chicago, where Griswold was nominated as Episcopal Bishop in 1987. Griswold practiced a wide ministry of teaching, writing, lecturing and leading retreats, nationally and internationally. Since he completed his term as presiding bishop he has served as a visiting professor at seminaries and universities in South Korea, Cuba and Japan, as well as at the Episcopal Divinity School and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Virginia Theological Seminary and Seabury-Western. He also served as bishop visitor to the Society of St. John the Evangelist. His books include Going Home (Cowley Publications Cloister Book) Praying our Days: A guide and companion (Church Publishing Group) Tracking Down the Holy Ghost: reflections on love and longing (Church Publishing Group) Co- Author with the Rev. Mark McIntosh of Seeds and Faith and Harvest of Hope. (Eerdmans) He is survived by his widow, Phoebe, as well as his two daughters, Hannah and Eliza, and three grandchildren.