Deputy Bonnie Anderson—two-term chair of the Program, Budget and Finance Joint Standing Committee—was elected vice-president of the House of Deputies Monday.
Long active in parish, diocesan and national affairs, Anderson said several colleagues urged her to run after former vice-president Vince Currie said he would not seek the position.
Anderson will assist the Very Rev. George Werner, who was re-elected president of the House of Deputies Saturday.
“I thought about it and said a few prayers,” Anderson said. “I feel called to this.”
But the new post raises bittersweet feelings, Anderson admitted.
“Program, Budget and Finance is a hard job but I’ve met wonderful people,” she said.
And—despite the election’s outcome—the new vice-president said she would not have sought a third term on the committee.
“It’s time for someone else to take that appointment,” she said.
Because Province V elected Anderson, 60, to the Executive Council, the Pontiac, Mich., deputy will be performing double duty during the next triennium.
“This is good because while the vice-president of deputies is an invited guest on Executive Council, they typically don’t have a vote,” she said. “I’ll also have a vote on Executive Council.”
