Pope Francis Appoints Father Budi Kleden SVD to Become Archbishop of Ende

KOMPAS/TRI AGUNG KRISTANTO

Father Paulus Budi Kleden SVD.

KUPANG, KOMPAS — The Supreme Leader of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis appointed Father Paulus Budi Kleden SVD to be The new Archbishop of Ende. Father Budi (58) is a son born in Larantuka, East Flores, who is currently the Superior General of the Society of the Word of God or SVD.

The appointment of Father Budi as Archbishop of Ende was announced by the Diocesan Administrator Ende Archdiocese, RD Daslan Moang Kabu, at the Christ the King Cathedral Church, Saturday (25/5/2024), at around 18.00 Wita. In the announcement, a letter from the Holy See of the Vatican was read which was delivered through the Apostolic Nuncio or Vatican Ambassador to Indonesia, Monsignor Piero Pioppo.

"The Holy Father has appointed Father Paulus Budi Kleden SVD, who currently holds the position of Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word, as the new Archbishop of Ende," said Daslan.

Previously, Father Budi's appointment was announced in Rome on Saturday at 12:00 local time. The announcement coincided with the Feast of the Holy Trinity, one of the major celebrations in the Catholic Church. The Feast of the Holy Trinity is commemorated on the first week after Pentecost or the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

Father Budi will be tasked with leading the congregation in the Archdiocese of Ende, replacing the previous Archbishop of Ende, Monsignor Vincentius Sensi Potokota Pr, who passed away on November 19, 2023. Monsignor Sensi passed away at the age of 72 after being treated at St. Carolus Hospital in Jakarta.

Also read: Archbishop Ende Mgr Vincentius Sensi Potokota Dies in Jakarta

Father Paulus Budi Kleden was born from the couple of Petrus Sina Kleden and Dorothea Sea Halan on November 16, 1965 in Waibalun, Larantuka, East Flores. The fifth child of seven siblings grew up in a humble family, where his father was a carpenter.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

The atmosphere of Serambi Soekarno at the Saint Joseph Monastery located in the Cathedral complex of Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday (20/6/2022). When exiled by the colonial government of the Netherlands to Ende in 1934-1938, Bung Karno often discussed with two Dutch missionaries, Father Gerardus Huijtink SVD and Father Joannes Bouma SVD, in this place.

Call to perpetual vows

Budi Kleden's calling to become a servant of the Church was initiated during his education at the San Dominggo Hokeng High School Seminary in Larantuka from 1981-1985. He then entered the novitiate period at the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Ledalero, Maumere, in 1986. He continued his philosophy studies at the Saint Paul Higher Seminary in Ledalero from 1986-1988.

His first kaul was pronounced on August 1, 1987, followed by the eternal kaul on August 15, 1992. He then pursued theological studies at the University of San Gabriel, Austria, from 1988 to 1993.

Budi Kleden was ordained as a priest on May 19, 1993, and began his work in Switzerland as an assistant pastor in the Steinhaus parish. From 1996 to 2000, Budi pursued a doctoral degree in theology at Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany, where he earned a PhD in dogmatic theology.

We pray that God will always guide us in this undoubtedly challenging service. We also hope that the priests and congregation in Ende will receive it with joy.

In 2001, he returned to the homeland and taught at the ST Paulus Ledalero School of Philosophy and Theology, Maumere. During the period of 2005-2008, he served as the Vice Provincial SVD Ende for a year. In 2011, he served as the Director of the Graduate Program at the Ledalero School of Philosophy and Theology. Since 2018, Budi has held the position of Superior General.

DOKUMENTASI KELUARGA BUDI KLEDEN

Father Paulus Budi Kleden SVD (standing, right) in a photo with his family and mother, Dorothea Sea Halan (sitting in a wheelchair).

Welcomed happily

The appointment of Father Budi as the Archbishop of Ende is welcomed with joy by the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Ende. Rafael Ruma, a community figure in Ende who is also the head of Randoria Village in Detusoko Subdistrict, said that the community welcomed the arrival of Father Budi with joy. For them, Father Budi's appointment by the Vatican is a process that cannot be separated from the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Father Budi is also well-known among the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Ende. The diocese covers Ende Regency, Ngada Regency, and Nagekeo Regency.

"Father Budi is not new to us. "We have often heard his name," said Rafael.

Meanwhile, Karolus Paulus Sani Kleden (54), the younger brother of Father Budi, said that the family is touched by the news of Father Budi's appointment. They greatly hope for the prayers of the congregation for Father Budi.

"We pray that God will always guide us in this difficult service. Also, the priests and community in Ende can accept it with pleasure," said Sani.

Also read: Pope Visits Jakarta on 3-6 September 2024