Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On May 25, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Fr. Paulus Budi Kleden, S.V.D., until now superior general of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.) (Verbites), as metropolitan archbishop of Ende, Indonesia.
Msgr. Kleden was born on 16 November 1965 in Waibalun, diocese of Larantuka, Indonesia. After attending the minor seminary of Santo Domingo in Hokeng, he entered the Verbite novitiate in Ledalero. He studied philosophy at the San Paulus Major Seminary and theology at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule St. Gabriel in Mödling, Austria.
He gave his solemn vows on 15 August 1992, and was ordained a priest on 19 May 1993.
After ordination, he first held the role of parish vicar in Auw, diocese of Basel, Switzerland (1993-1996). He was awarded a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany (1996-2000), and went on to serve as lecturer in theology at the major seminary of Ledalero, Maumere (2001-2012), member of the Provincial Council (2005-2008) and member of the General Council of the S.V.D. (2012-2018). Since 2018 he has been superior general of the same Congregation. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 25/5/2024)
