Institute of St. Anselm, Rome. (Formerly UK, 1985-2017)

Mission Statement

An International Training Centre for Formators, Leaders and Evangelisers.

In the certainty that world peace can only be built on community peace and that community peace is built, not on emotional reaction, but on reasoned wisdom, the Institute of Saint Anselm’s chosen mission is to assist community and religious leaders at all levels in developing a strong, personal, spiritual and emotional foundation from which they can respond to life and carry out their duties with wisdom.

In furtherance of its mission, the Institute is committed to developing and adopting sound innovative programmes that deepen self-exploration, emotional growth and personal spirituality, in the firm belief that these endeavours are vital to the future of humankind.

The institute aims to empower people to take charge of their personal lives and help them to acquire the necessary competence and confidence to fulfil a leadership role successfully.

Leaders and facilitators in spiritual and religious communities face a complex task, one requiring a great depth of understanding of human behaviour in addition to a solid grounding in the process of spiritual growth. True compassionate leadership is not possible without these. A facilitator of community life is often required to understand and help individuals resolve their emotional pains and troubles which, if left untended will disrupt the community’s spiritual life. The special human development skills necessary in guiding communities, parishes and various groups are learned and practised in these unique foundational programmes.

All programmes are residential, full-time and experiential and focus on the whole process of growth with special reference to spiritual and psychological integration. All programmes are suitable for Sabbaticals depending on the requirements of the individual.

Rev. Len Kofler MHM  Born 12 April 1935
Died 28 April 2024
Founder of the Institute of St. Anselm
Director 1985 to 2024

Founder President Cardinal Basil Hume OSB 1984 to 1999

President Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor 1999 to 2017

Current President Bishop Vincenzo Viva, Bishop of Albano

Trustees

Miss Thalia Slinn, Rev. Anthony Chantry MHM & Rev Paul Mooney MHM

Director Awaiting Appointment

Deputy Director Rev. Estifanos Gebretsadik sdb

Registrar Miss Claire McGuire

Management Team

Deputy Director: Rev. Estifanos Gebretsadik S.D.B., Advanced Dip in Integrative Psychospiritual Growth Facilitation of Groups, Higher Dip Leadership and Growth Facilitation in Ind.

Trustee/Admin Miss Thalia Slinn - IMA, Dip. Counselling, EQ Development Therapist/Trainer/Supervisor

 

Registrar Miss Claire McGuire Growth Facilitation Supervisor

 

Other Staff

Fr Wijnand Huijs MHM, R.O.N. Dip Group Counselling, Dip Transformational Leadership & Growth Facilitation

Sr. Judith Judita Mihelčič EQ Development Therapist

 

Guest Lecturers

Rev Pascual Chávez Villanueva SDB Rector Major Emetrius

Rev. John Breen - Human Formation and Pastoral Director, Beda College, Rome

Prof. Joseph Crea - MCCJ Instituto Psicologia Universita Pontificia Salesiana, Rome

Rev. Denis McBride - CSsR, MA (Hons), STM

Fr John McCluskey MHM, MA, Phd

Sr. Lettedenghil Ogbamicael Mesgun SMC Phd.

Rev. Dennis Tindall, - M.A. Pastoral Studies

Rev. Peter Verity - Spiritual Director, Beda College, Rome

External staff

Tutor:  Sr. Therese Garman - DLP in Transformational Leadership: Sr Therese Garman

About St Anselm's

The Institute of Saint Anselm

Established in 1984, the Institute of Saint Anselm has provided leadership training programmes primarily for Catholic religious communities, congregations and seminaries world-wide. Under the guidance of its Founder/Director, Doctor Leonhard Kofler, the Institute has developed a distinctive portfolio of sound, innovative programmes in leadership expertise and human development, which it offers to religious and non-religious community leaders and facilitators. All the courses offered are also suitable for those who are doing a sabbatical.

Over the years, the Institute has sought out and integrated the best innovative methods and techniques to enhance its original courses. The outstanding courses that resulted have drawn praise from all quarters. Most recently, recognizing the importance of the emotions in personal growth and of the need to clear destructive, detrimental emotions from the body, the Institute enhanced its curricula further with the addition of EQ Development Therapy, incorporating Bodywork, a science-based hands-on system of clearing the emotions, ultimately a necessary part of spiritual evolution.

The Institute of St. Anselm holds International Accreditation from ASIC (Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities).

ASIC Accreditation is a leading, globally recognised quality standard in international education. Institutions undergo an impartial and independent external assessment process to confirm their provision meets rigorous internationally accepted standards, covering the whole spectrum of its administration, governance, and educational offering. Achieving ASIC Accreditation demonstrates to students and stakeholders that an institution is a high-quality education provider that delivers safe and rewarding educational experiences and is committed to continuous improvement throughout its operation.
 
About ASIC: One of the largest international accreditation agencies operating in 70+ countries, ASIC is recognised in the UK by UKVI - UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office of the UK Government), is ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems) Accredited and is a Full Member of The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), a member of the BQF (British Quality Foundation), a member of the International Schools Association (ISA), and an institutional member of EDEN (European Distance and E-Learning Network). 

Institute of St Anselm

United Kingdom: A Company Limited by Guarantee

Registered in England Registered Company No. 2010021

Registered Charity No. 294625

Italy: Legal Entity Al N.1262/2018 CF. 90088730586

Founder

Photo by Servizio Forografico - Vatican Media

Father Len Kofler MHM DD, D.Soc, PhD. founded the Institute of St. Anselm in 1984 under Cardinal Basil Hume OSB. St. Anselm’s, as it is fondly known, was founded to train formators, leaders and evangelisers in the Church.

Fr Len is a Mill Hill Missionary who is also an accredited psychotherapist, group psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. He was ordained in 1959. In 1968 he took up further studies in sociology, psychology and pastoral theology and was in charge of formation at a minor seminary. In 1978 Fr Kofler joined the staff of the Missionary Institute London as a lecturer. In 1980 he was elected president and continued to lecture and counsel until July 1985. He also gave lectures for London University Extra Mural Department.

Fr. Len saw the need to train leaders for the Church and founded the Institute of St. Anselm which began in September1985 with the first Diploma Course. In 2009 he celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination.

He continues to lead it forward in the future, to his vision and the unique ‘life changing’ programmes of the Institute.

Fr Len has published several books that are available for purchase - please refer to Publications for the full list.

Testimonials

What is the Institute of St Anselm?

The Institute of St. Anselm is an international training centre for leaders, formators and evangelisers in the Catholic Church.

Why should I train as a leader, formator or evangeliser?

Who I am as a leader and how I model this role is paramount for undertaking this work.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more my emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and, since you're here, by further browsing this website. Moreover, you would be most welcome to join us for a meal or even spend a few days with us. We are located at Il Carmelo, Via Doganale 1 Ciampino, 00043 Roma, Italy. You will get a sense of the multicultural atmosphere, meet the staff and participants; you could even sit in for a lecture or two!