Born Antoine-Marie Grab on 3 February 1930 in Zürich, he was raised first in Schwyz and then in Geneva alongside his three brothers by his father Joseph, an accountant, and his mother Germaine, a stenographer.

His many temporary assignments included working as a confessor for monasteries and religious communities as well as serving on diocesan commissions.

He assisted with preparatory the national “Synod 72” and for Pope John Paul's visit to Switzerland in 1984.

The pope had also failed to consult the canons of the cathedral chapter of Chur in accordance with ancient practice.

[3] Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation on 5 February 2007,[9] two years after Grab had submitted it.