Political renewal in the United States requires far more than institutional reform—it demands a profound renewal of human character, relationships, and spiritual life, Archbishop William E. Lori told a national gathering of Catholic women religious leaders.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 National Assembly of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR), held Sept. 17–20 at the Augustine Institute in Florissant, Missouri, the Archbishop of Baltimore emphasized that the Church has always understood that societal transformation begins "not with structures, but with saints."
“Before there can be renewal of institutions, there must be renewal of persons,” Archbishop Lori said. “Before there can be civic friendship, there must be conversion of heart, and before there can be lasting peace, there must be reconciliation with God.”
Drawing from his recent pastoral letter, In Charity and Truth: Towards a Renewed Political Culture, Archbishop Lori suggested that the nation's fundamental crisis stems from expecting politics to achieve what only holiness can deliver.
“We ask for legislation to heal wounds that require forgiveness,” he observed. “We expect institutions to restore trust that can only be rebuilt through virtue... Politics has become burdened with expectations it was never intended to bear.”
Citing Pope Benedict XVI, he noted that while government can guarantee certain aspects of justice, it cannot manufacture love or replace the moral formation rooted in families, communities, and the Church.
Transcending Politics to Redeem History
While urging that religious life must remain “above politics” to avoid becoming captive to partisan ideologies, Archbishop Lori clarified that transcending politics does not mean withdrawing from the world.
“The evangelical counsels are not an escape from history – they are a way of redeeming history,” he declared. “Consecrated women do not flee society; they bless it.”
He pointed out that the primary contribution of women religious to American democracy has historically been the formation of virtuous citizens. “Long before America debated civic education, sisters were forming consciences,” he said. “Long before people spoke of ‘social capital,’ sisters were building communities of trust.”
The Vows as Counter-Cultural Witness
Archbishop Lori presented the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as powerful witnesses to authentic freedom capable of renewing public life:
Poverty as Freedom from Ownership: Evangelical poverty challenges a culture obsessed with accumulation. Pointing to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and Venerable Mother Mary Lange—founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence—he noted that evangelical poverty shifts the question from “What belongs to me?” to “To whom do I belong?” Mother Lange’s legacy of establishing institutions for Black Catholics amid pervasive prejudice serves as a reminder that individuals are beloved children of God before they are defined by race, wealth, or ideology.
Chastity as Authentic Communion: Consecrated chastity counters the societal tendency to reduce people to labels or political objects. Holding up Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman as a model of joyful, truth-filled engagement, Archbishop Lori highlighted her ability to confront racism with “conviction without contempt” and “disagreement without dehumanization.”
Obedience as Spiritual Discernment: Holy obedience acts as a school of listening in an age dominated by noise. Highlighting St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s trust in divine providence during times of loss, he observed: “Social media rewards immediacy – discipleship requires discernment. Political rhetoric rewards certainty – Christian wisdom often begins with silence... Perhaps political renewal begins not with louder voices but with quieter hearts.”
Shaping the Moral Imagination
Looking toward the future as the nation marks 250 years of independence, Archbishop Lori noted that while historians often focus on the physical networks of schools, hospitals, and orphanages built by sisters, their greatest achievement remains shaping the nation’s moral imagination.
“Before children learned algebra, they learned mercy,” he said. “Before they learned history, they learned gratitude... Before they became voters, they became disciples.”
Addressing the assembly of major superiors gathered for prayer, reflection, and dialogue, Archbishop Lori concluded with a call for consecrated women to continue offering a witness of "communion without uniformity, conviction without hostility, and truth without triumphalism."
“The world needs women who have been seized by Christ,” Archbishop Lori said. “It needs women whose lives bear unmistakable witness to the truth that God is real, that holiness is possible, that sacrifice is fruitful, and that love poured out in communion with Christ can transform the world.”
FULL Address - https://www.archbalt.org/archbishop-lori-talk-keynote-address-to-the-council-of-major-superior-of-women-religious/
Image Sept. 2026 - Archbishop William E. Lori (cropped) by Stephen Herrera, Catholic Review Facebook
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