DIVINE Word Missionary secretary Fr Henry Adler has been appointed the new provincial-elect for the Australian province.
Fr Adler will serve a three-year term as the provincial-elect as of January next year.
He received the news of his appointment while on home-leave in Europe.
Fr Adler said it would be a privilege to lead the Australian province, with God’s help and the support of confreres.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled by the trust and confidence that my AUS confreres have bestowed on me,” Fr Adler said.
“I am also very grateful for the kind support and prayers I have received from people.”
Provincial Fr Tim Norton said Fr Adler was elected to the position in a vote of his provincial confreres and the Generalate in Rome formally approved the appointment.
“This is wonderful news for the Australian Province and we receive it joyfully,” he said.
“I’m sure everyone joins with me in congratulating Henry and wishing him every blessing for the future.”
Fr Henry’s childhood was influenced by both German and Polish cultures in post-war Poland.
He joined the Society of the Divine Word and completed his initial formation in Poland and Germany.
He undertook his priestly formation in Melbourne and was ordained in New Zealand.
Fr Adler worked in Papua New Guinea for five years before returning to Australia to work, first in formation of SVD seminarians, and then as mission secretary for the province.
