Ragnar Persenius

Per Ragnar Theodor Persenius (born 27 June 1952) was the Bishop of Uppsala from 2000 till his retirement in 2019. He previously headed the Church of Sweden's Department of Theology and Ecumenism.

Biography

The son of Walter Persenius, pastor of Ullånger, he was born in Uppsala and grew up in Jämtland and Härjedalen. After attending Fjellstedtska School in Uppsala, he studied law, philosophy and theology, receiving a doctorate from Lund University in 1988.

Ordained in 1973, he first served as parish priest of Bro (1973–1976) before becoming educational advisor for the Diocese of Uppsala (1977–1980). Other appointments have included Parish Priest of Norrstrand, Karlstad, Church Secretary for Uppsala, the Church of Sweden's director for theological affairs, and head of its theology and ecumenism department (1993–1998). Before his ordination as bishop, he headed the Stora Sköndal Foundation in Stockholm.

Published works