This year marks fifty years as a priest for Brian Vale, so it is fitting to summarise his life and contributions thus far. Brian was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on March 3, 1951. His parents, Jim and Mary, had two other children, Kieran and Clare. Brian often spoke of his father’s gift for telling jokes and stories.
After finishing high school, Brian travelled to Sydney to begin his seminary studies for the Columban mission. His ordination to the priesthood occurred on May 17, 1975, in St Joseph’s Church in his home parish. This was followed by an appointment to Japan, where he began his missionary life by spending two years undertaking language studies.
After ten years of immersion in Japanese culture, Brian was transferred to Australia. By way of preparation for this next stage of his missionary work, he did a year’s study at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. As a staff member of the Pacific Mission Institute in Sydney, he lectured on Japanese Buddhism and Mission Spirituality. By 1991, Brian had reached the age of 40. With a broad range of studies and experience behind him, he once again took up missionary work in Japan, where he was asked to undertake many different roles, including Regional Director twice.
Brian’s many capabilities were being recognised, so it was time for a stint in his home country. For the next six years, he caught up with family and changes in the Church and New Zealand culture in general. There had also been changes in the Columban mission in Sydney. In 2009, Brian was appointed there to work on dialogue with the Muslim community at our Centre for Christian Muslim Relations. Life sped up for Brian when he became Regional Director for the Australia and New Zealand Region and was elected to the General Council in September 2018.
After six years in that position, during which he lived in Hong Kong, Brian has returned to Sydney, where he is again involved with building bridges across different religious communities. His interest in and concern for contemporary ecological spirituality, once again, demonstrates Brian’s desire to push the boundaries to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus wherever he finds himself. May your enthusiasm for the mission of God, Brian, continue to fill your life with meaning and fulfilment.
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - May 2025
