Archdiocese of Kupang

Msgr. Hironimus Pakaenoni was born on 14 April 1969 in Noemuti, diocese of Atambua. He attended the minor seminary of Lalian, diocese of Atambua, and then the Ritapiret Interdiocesan Major Seminary, diocese of Maumere, following courses in philosophy at the Superior School of Ledalero. After a pastoral year in the archdiocese of Kupang, he continued his studies in theology in Ritapiret and Ledalero. He was ordained a priest on 8 September 1997, and incardinated in Kupang. After ordination, he first held the roles of parish vicar in the parish of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Kupang (1997-1999) and parish priest of the Saint Petrus Community in Sulamu (1999-2001). He was awarded a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (2001-2003), and went on to serve as parish vicar of Saint Gregory the Great in Oloeta (2003-2004), formator of the Saint Michael Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Kupang and lecturer in dogmatic theology at the Universitas Katolik Widya Mandira in Kupang (since 2004); dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of Religion of the Universitas Katolik Widya Mandira in Kupang (2010-2018), and chair of the Swastisari Educational Foundation (2012-2023).