Some of you may have heard by now that the Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand, Fr Brian Vale was recently elected as the Vicar General for the Missionary Society of St Columban. The appointment is immediate and so we wait for another election to see who will take on the role of Regional Director.
Brian’s election was part of the General Assembly of Columban leaders that was held in Taipei, Taiwan, in September. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the past six years, to plan for the next six years and to elect a new General Council. It is a time to listen to where the Lord is leading us in mission at this time.
Irishman Fr Tim Mulroy was elected as the new Superior General and will be assisted by three other Columbans, Fr Brian Vale from New Zealand, who is the new Vicar General of the Society, Fr Alvaro Patricio Martinez Ibañez from Chile and Fr Joseph Kang of South Korea.
Before his departure for Hong Kong, Fr Brian Vale wrote the following message:
“It is less than twelve months since I moved into the ANZ Columban Regional Director’s office in Melbourne and it is time to move again. I was elected Vicar General of The Missionary Society of St Columban at the September 2018 General Assembly in Taiwan so I will be moving to Hong Kong in late October to take up the new position. I have enjoyed the camaraderie and atmosphere in the Essendon house and office and will miss the friendly staff and Columbans.
I will meet many Columbans over the next six years but will take some time to adjust to working with the other General Councillors and to the busy city life of Hong Kong. It will be a transition with mixed blessings. I would like to thank you, our supporters, for your commitment to the Missionary Society of St Columban. Your partnership in Columban Mission ensures that those most in need are not isolated from society.
Fr Brian Vale”
I thank Brian for his service to us all in the Australia and New Zealand Region and wish him well in his new leadership role.
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