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. Along with his native Polish, he speaks Italian and English. Curial membership: