SW News: A Catholic priest has been appointed as the first professor of a new Church-run university in Indonesia. On Monday, October 25, Fr. Yohanes Servatius Lon, rector of St Paul Catholic University of Indonesia on the predominantly Catholic island of Flores, was selected as the first professor by the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry. Fr. Lon, on being overwhelmed by this privilege given to him, said it was the result of “a struggle demanding hard work, patience, and wisdom.”

St. Paul Catholic University of Indonesia comprises St. Paul Teacher Training College and St. Paul Health Science Academy. It was inaugurated by Research, Technology, and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir on May 26, 2019.

Fr. Lon completed his education at the Catholic Institute of Philosophy in Maumere, Flores. He went on to take his doctorate in Church Law Philosophy at the University of Ottawa in Canada and was a lecturer for more than 25 years. He was ordained a priest of the Ruteng diocese in 1987.

Fr. Lon thanked everyone, especially the university, for motivating and guiding him over the years. “This professorship can motivate other lecturers in the university to achieve the same,” he said.

Another lecturer at the varsity, Fr. Marselus Ruben Payong, said that Fr. Lon was given the prestigious role of professorship because of his dedication to teaching young people. “His dedication and spirit inspire other lecturers to become better,” said Fr. Payong.