It is with regret that we inform you of the death at 6:50 a.m. on Sunday, 28th April 2024, at San Raffaele Monte Compatri, Rome, Italy, aged 89 years of
Father Leonard (Len) Kofler
Mill Hill Missionary
May he rest in peace
Father Leonard, known as Len to his colleagues and friends, was born on 12th April 1935 in Kartitsch, Austria to Johann Kofler and Maria nee Ausserlechmer. His father was a farmer and a sacristan. He had three brothers and five sisters. He did his primary schooling in Kartitsch from 1941 to 1946 and secondary studies in Hall, Innsbruck from 1946 to 1954. He studied Philosophy in the diocesan seminary in Brixen for a year. In 1955, he was sent to St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill for Theology and missionary formation. He took the Perpetual Oath on 7th May 1958 at St. Joseph’s College Chapel. He was ordained missionary priest on 12th July 1959 in Mill Hill.
Following his ordination, Len spent a short while teaching in Freshford and doing mission appeals in Absam. In 1961, he was appointed to Aukland Diocese and spent six years of parish ministry among the Maori people particularly in Panguru and Rotorua. In 1967, he returned to do mission appeals in Brixen and eventually become Rector of the minor seminary there. In 1968 he took up further studies, obtaining doctorates in sociology (University of Trent), psychology and pastoral theology (University of Salzburg). In 1977, Len was appointed to do an “Operational Research” for the Society, with residence at St. Joseph’s College. In 1978, Len joined the staff of the Missionary Institute London (MIL), as a lecturer in Pastoral Studies. In 1980, he was elected president of the MIL. He campaigned for funding and had the new MIL building built. Len continued to lecture and counsel until July 1985, putting emphasis on the integration of theological studies with the personal and spiritual growth of students. He saw the need for an institute to offer wholistic trainings for formators and Church leaders. Having received encouragement and support from Cardinal Basil Hume of Westminster and Bishop Cornlius de Wit who was then the General Superior, Len established the Institute of St. Anselm in the seaside town of Cliftonville, Kent. Its first Diploma Course began in September 1985. Since the Institute’s inception, Len had been its director. He was an accredited psychotherapist, group psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. He envisioned that Saint Anselm would serve as alma mater of similar institutes in different parts of Asia and Africa.In 2015, the Saint Anselm celebrated its 30th Foundation, a good year to celebrate its accomplishments in offering wholistic trainings to thousands of priests, religious and lay people who were coming from various ethnic backgrounds from different parts of the world. In 2017, Saint Anselm was transferred from Cliftonville, Kent to Ciampino, Rome due to the difficulty of obtaining UK Visas for the participants.
Len was an accomplished scholar, a compassionate carer, a humble and approachable person. He was much loved for his gentleness and patience. People would go to his office angry, distressed, and desperate to make major decisions in their anger, but they would come out of Len’s office mellowed with different insights and smiling. Len was very sensitive, intuitive and could ‘home in’ on the real issues in a non-threatening and gentle manner. At his Golden Jubilee in 2009, Len was quoted saying: “It seems a long time ago since I was ordained, but I’m not finished yet. I’d be happy to keep working till I was 90, if I keep my health. I leave that up to Him.” Len published several books.
In 2011, Len suffered a life-threatening infection of the mitral valve. He received treatment at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where the mitral valve was replaced. Towards the end of March this year, Len was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome. He was diagnosed with multiple tumours, including one behind his pacemaker which was inoperable and inappropriate for chemo. On the 25th of April 2024, Len was transferred to San Raffaelle Montecompatri, a nursing home on the hills outside Rome where he was receiving good care. On Sunday, 28th April 2024 at 6:50 a.m., Len returned to the Lord, whom he faithfully served for over 65 years as a Mill Hill Missionary, at the age of 89 years. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master!” Matthew 25:21. A Thanksgiving Mass will be held at the Institute of Saint Anselm to be presided by the Bishop of Albano. Further details will be communicated later. His remains will be laid to rest in Katitsch, Austria on Monday, 6th May 2024 at 2 p.m. local time. As we keep Len in our prayers, let us also pray for all the staff and participants of St. Anselm’s Institute at this difficult time.
