Abbot Urban Federer

The Holy Father, confirming the election by the Chapter of the Abbey of Einsiedeln, has newly appointed the Reverend Fr. Urban Federer, O.S.B., as ordinary abbot of the Territorial Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The Reverend Fr. Urban Federer, O.S.B., was born on 17 August 1968 in Zurich-Fluntern, diocese of Chur. After entering the novitiate of the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, he gave his solemn vows in 1992 and was ordained a priest on 11 June 1994. He carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the Theological Institute of the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln and the Saint Meinrad Theological Institute in the United States of America. He was awarded a licentiate in German literature and history from the Universität Freiburg (1999) and a doctorate in Medieval German studies from the same university (2007), and studied music and Gregorian chant at the Conservatory of Fribourg. He held the role of teacher of religion, German language and history at the Lyceum of the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, and of spirituality and Gregorian chant at the Theological Institute of the same Abbey. Again within the Abbey, he has served as prefect of the Internate; teacher of novices; editor of the journal Salve and director of the monastic choir, dean (prior) and vicar general of the Abbey (2010-2013). On 10 December 2013 he was appointed for the first time as Ordinary Abbot of the same Abbey.