On Monday, July 8, Pope Francis appointed 23 new members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, among them six women religious superior generals and one head of a women’s secular institute.
The six women superior generals named are Sr. Kathleen Appler of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul; Sr. Yvonne Reungoat of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (also known as the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco); Sr. Françoise Massy of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary; Sr. Luigia Coccia of the Comboni Missionaries; Sr. Simona Brambilla of the Consolata Missionaries; and Sr. M. Rita Calvo Sanz of the Company of Mary Our Lady. Olga Krizova, general president of the Don Bosco Secular Institute, was also nominated.
Sr. Kathleen Appler, from Utica, New York, was elected Mother General of the Daughters of Charity in 2015.
Other new members of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life include Cardinals Angelo De Donatis, vicar general of Rome; Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life; Luis Ladaria Ferrer, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Ricardo Blazquez Perez of Valladolid.
Five bishops and seven superior generals of male institutes were also nominated.
Demonstrating Pope Francis’ increased attention to putting women in leadership within the Vatican, the appointments follow the 2014 nomination of Sr. Irma Luzia Premoli, superior general of the Comboni Missionaries, as a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
With informations from: Catholic News Agency
Sister Kathleen Appler
The inclusion of these seven women religious as members to the previously male-only Congregation is a clear response to the call to action for inclusivity in addressing the issues and concerns that face 21st century Roman Catholic congregations and religious orders around the world. The Congregation is responsible for everything which concerns religious orders and congregations, and societies of apostolic life regarding their government, discipline, and studies. The Vatican has confirmed that this is the first time that women have been appointed to the Congregation
A native of Utica, N.Y., Sister Kathleen was elected Superioress General of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at the General Assembly in Paris, France, on May 25, 2015. Prior to her election as Superioress General, Sister Kathleen had served as a member of the Daughters’ General Council in Paris since June of 2009, and as Provincial of the Daughters’ former Northeast Province based in Albany, N.Y.
Around the world, there are 14,500 Daughters of Charity living and serving in 94 countries. Sister Kathleen leads the Community of these Sisters, which is divided into 60 Provinces and one Region.
Sister Kathleen entered the Community of the Daughters of Charity in April of 1973 in Boston, Mass. She marked 46 years vocation in April of 2019.
Sister Kathleen has served in education, administration, and vocation and formation ministries. She served in schools in Syracuse, N.Y., (Cathedral School, 1974 to 1975); Bridgeport, Conn., (St. Ann’s School, 1975 to 1979); Utica, N.Y., (Our Lady of Lourdes School, 1979 to 1982 and 1985 to 1995); and Wilmington, Del., (St. Peter’s School, 1982 to 1985). Sister Kathleen served at St. John’s Parish Center in Brooklyn, N.Y, from 1995 to 2000. She also served as the local Superior in Brooklyn from 1997 to 1999. Sister then moved into governance for the Province and resided in Albany until her appointment in Paris in 2009.
A 1970 graduate of Utica Catholic Academy in Utica, N.Y., Sister Kathleen earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts from Maria Regina College in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1975; her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a Concentration in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1978; a Master’s in Elementary Education from State University of New York at Cortland, Cortland, N.Y., in 1984; and her Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Center for Spirituality at Work, Denver, Colo., in 2006.
Congratulations with love our dear Sr. Kathleen, our Most Honored Mother for having named by Pope Francis as Member of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. We are very happy and proud of you. You are making a history and the best story in our Little Company – the Daughters of Charity. The first time the Vatican confirmed that women have been appointed because of the important role of women religious in the said the Congregation. You are our servant-leader and you deserved the best because you always give the gift of you in everything you do in fidelity to our Vincentian charism. We salute to you. Be assured of our prayers and love.
Sr. Remedios Tidor, DC & Sisters
De Paul Community
Daughters of Charity Provincial House
Province of St. Louise de Marillac – Asia