Jesuits announce new British Provincial

Dermot Preston SJ

The Jesuit Superior General has appointed Father Dermot Preston SJ as the next Provincial of the British Province. Fr Preston, currently Jesuit Regional Superior in Guyana, South America, will take over from Fr Michael Holman SJ whose six year term of office ends in the summer.

Fr Preston, who is 53, has worked in Guyana, for the past five years. He also has experience in the Province's other Region, South Africa, where he was Chaplain at Cape Town University and national chaplain to the lay Ignatian organisation, the Christian Life Community. On his return from South Africa, he was Socius (Assistant) to the Provincial for four years. Fr Preston was ordained priest in 1990 and was for a number of years vocations director for the British Province.

Of his appointment Fr Holman said: "I am delighted that Fr Preston will be the next provincial. He is a dedicated follower of Ignatius. He is well known as a generous pastor, an amiable companion, an imaginative teacher of the faith and a wise leader of our men and our works in Guyana".

Source: Jesuit Communications