Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 5 September 2024, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), appointed Father Alfonsus Widhiwiryawan (SX) National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Indonesia for a five-year term.
The new National Director was born in 1979 and completed his novitiate and first religious vows at the Society of Saint Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions (Xaverians) in Jakarta. Ordained a priest in 2009, he studied philosophy and theology, obtaining a bachelor's degree in theology and a canonical license in spirituality. He studied Italian language and culture in Parma, Spanish in Madrid and English in Glasgow.
He was Vice Rector of the Pre-Novitiate of the Xaverians in Jakarta (2011-2023), Vice Assistant Priest in the Parish of St. Matius Penginjil in Bintaro (Jakarta), where he also worked as a teacher of religion at a state institute (2013-2015); Lecturer of Theology at STF Driyarkara in Jakarta and member of the Training Commission of the Xaverians of Indonesia (2012-2016). He was Lecturer of Biblical Institutions in Indonesia and Vice Rector of Philosophy Studies at the Xaverians in Jakarta (2015-2016), and he was Director of Animation and Missionary Vocation at the Society of St. Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions in Yogyakarta (2016-2021). In 2021 he was Rector of the Domus St. Francis Xavier in Padang (Central Sumatra). From 2022 to 2024 he headed the Youth Commission of the Diocese of Padang and was Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the diocese; he was also assistant parish priest of the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Padangbaru (Central Sumatra) and formator at the "Maria Nirmala" Minor Seminary in Padang. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 24/9/2024)
