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A native of London, Ontario, Bishop William T. McGrattan was born on September 19, 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1987.
His Excellency received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Western Ontario, followed by a Master of Divinity from St. Peter’s Seminary in London. After three years of service at St. Joseph’s Parish in Chatham following his ordination, Bishop McGrattan continued his studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Fundamental Moral Theology in 1992. He served on the faculty of St. Peter’s Seminary in London as an associate professor, vice-rector and dean of theology, and was appointed as rector of the seminary in 1997. In 2009, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed Bishop McGrattan as Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto and Titular Bishop of Furnos Minor. He was ordained to the episcopate on January 12, 2010. Bishop McGrattan’s episcopal motto, “Habe Fiduciam in Domino” (Trust in the Lord) is taken from Proverbs 3:5, which reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.” He was appointed 12th bishop of the Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario on April 8, 2014. On January 4, 2017, Bishop McGrattan was appointed by Pope Francis to succeed Bishop Frederick Henry as the 8th bishop of the Diocese of Calgary. He was installed on February 27, 2017. |
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Read about the CPC New Structure.
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Bishop's Coat of Arms
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The field of the shield is divided into sections by a heraldic division called a saltire enhanced. This reflects the form of the traditional arms of the name McGrattan. In the “X” is also seen the Greek letter Chi (Χ) which is the first letter in the Greek for Christ.
Symbols Keys Keys are found in the coats of arms of the Bishops home diocese of London, and in the shield used by St. Peter’s Seminary where he ministered as an educator and served as rector for many years. The wards and the bows have been embellished with the traditional emblem of Ireland, the trefoil or shamrock, which indicates the Bishop’s ancestry and heritage. Shell The shell is an emblem of Holy Baptism, the sacrament which incorporates one into Christ and his Church, which is the basis of all ministry. As a baptismal symbol, it also represents the Church’s mission. A shell is also a main feature of the shield of Pope Benedict XVI, who appointed the Bishop to the episcopate. Basket with Loaves The basket filled with loaves speaks of the Holy Eucharist, the Church’s highest offering. It is also used here as a reflection of the feeding of the great throng of people (cf. Matthew 14:15-21 and so represents the call to compassion, hospitality, outreach, and care. Mascules The upper section is colored red, the color of the Holy Spirit, of love and zeal. Upon this is set a pattern formed of seven heraldic charges called mascules, an emblem attributed to a medieval bishop of York, England, St. William of York, thus a reference to the Bishop’s baptismal name. The Motto The motto Habe Fiduciam in Domino is taken from Proverbs 3.5: “Habe fiduciam in Domino ex toto corde tuo et ne innitaris prudentiae tuae.” (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight) The external symbols of a processional cross (here depicted as a celtic cross with jewels representing the wounds of Christ) and a green ecclesiastical hat with two green cords each ending in six green tassels are the insignia appropriate to a Roman Catholic Bishop as assigned by Pope Paul VI in his special instruction of 31 March 1969. |
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Pastoral Assignments
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Read our Spring/Summer spread on Bishop McGrattan's first year in the office!
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.Proverbs 3:5
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