Let φ∈C^0∩W_{1,2}(Σ,X) where Σ is a compact Riemann surface, X is a compact locally CAT(1) space, and W_{1,2}(Σ,X) is defined as in Korevaar-Schoen. We use the technique of harmonic replacement to prove that either there exists a harmonic map u: Σ → X homotopic to φ or there exists a nontrivial conformal harmonic map v: S^2 → X. To complete the argument, we prove compactness for energy minimizers and a removable singularity theorem for conformal harmonic maps.