Paul Wess (Vienna, 1936) studied Philosophy and Theology in Innsbruck, where he received his doctorate in Philosophy (1961). In 1962 he was ordained a priest in Vienna. From 1966 to 1996 he dedicated himself to pastoral activity in a new foundation parish (Wien-Machstraße) aimed at living the Church as a communio through the formation of grassroots communities. In 1968 he received his doctorate in Theology, and in 1989 he received his habilitation for university education. In 1996 he was freed from pastoral work in the parish to practice as a visiting professor, for example, in Graz (Austria) and Würzburg (Germany). Since 2000 he lives in Innsbruck, where he taught university classes in Pastoral Theology.