LCWR installs new leadership team

Sr. Constance Phelps, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, Kan., became president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Aug. 25. She is the first African-American to serve as president.

Having been elected vice president last year, she automatically moved up to president. The organization’s three-person leadership team, which includes the newly elected vice president plus the president and immediate past president, assures a smooth continuity of leadership, Phelps explained.

Phelps said she has no personal agenda, only an ongoing commitment to following the direction provided by representatives of the member congregations.

Sr. Christine Vladimiroff, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pa., was elected vice president. Sr. Mary Ann Zollmann, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa, is the outgoing president. St. Joseph Sr. Anne Hennessy of Orange, Calif., was elected secretary.

-- Catholic News Service

National Catholic Reporter, September 12, 2003