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==