Create Word Object not working in Office 2016 for mac.

I have a macro that copies value from an excel file over to a word file.
The macro works fine on office 2016 on PC and also on office 2011 on mac, however throws an automation error in office 2016 on mac.

The automation error is thrown when I am creating the word application object.
I have checked the references and the word 16 object is correctly referenced.

This is the code where it errors out. (CreateObject("Word.Application")). Any one has any ideas or solution ?

Dim wApp As Word.Application
Set wApp = CreateObject("Word.Application")
Set wDoc = wApp.Documents.Open(strWordFile)
wApp.Visible = True

This is exactly what i am doing.
Set appWD = CreateObject("Word.application") 'creates a Word application

But office 2016 on Mac crashes on this. Is there any other may I can open a word file on office 2016 for Mac.

Thx