Women religious told to remain committed to local, global issues

Published: 2006-08-29

ATLANTA (CNS) -- The Leadership Conference of Women Religious celebrated its 50th anniversary by hearing calls to continue involving its members in the problems of the local and global communities that surround them. This includes encouraging peacemaking around the world and keeping the door to dialogue open with the bishops so that women religious have greater decision-making power in "our church, its teachings and its practices," said Franciscan Sister Beatrice Eichen, LCWR president. At the Aug. 18-21 annual assembly held in Atlanta, the conference passed a resolution condemning torture and encouraging help and support for torture victims, especially those in areas under U.S. government control. The 2006 Outstanding Leadership Award went to St. Joseph Sister Catherine Pinkerton for her work as a justice and peace lobbyist for Network, a social justice lobbying group founded in 1971 by several U.S. women religious. Sister Mary Whited, general superior of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, was elected new LCWR president.

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