UISG sisters look for leadership based on service and witness
(Vatican Radio) What kind of leadership are women religious called to model in the
Church and in the world today? That key question has been at the heart of a five day
meeting of sisters who head religious congregations in countries right across the
globe. The plenary assembly of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG,
concludes on Wednesday following a private encounter with Pope Francis here in the
Vatican. More than 800 participants have been sharing insights, best practice and
discussion on the theme ‘The service of leadership according to the Gospel’. Among
them is English Sr Jane Livesey, general superior of the Congregation of Jesus, founded
by pioneering 17th century Sr Mary Ward, whose actions raised fiece opposition
from within the Catholic Church of her day. Philippa Hitchen talked with Sr Jane
about the significance of this plenary assembly, the tensions within religious life
today and the synergy of the sisters with the first pontiff to call himself after
St Francis of Assisi....