05/27/2026
LCWR welcomes the profound contribution of Pope Leo XIV offered in the encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas.” LCWR fully embraces the work and looks forward to engaging in prayer, reflection, study and implementation in solidarity with the synodal church as we work towards the Beloved Community. In this process, LCWR will continue to deepen our understanding and practice of a church in the vision of Vatican Council II, grounded in the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.
This teaching situates the current planetary and human community in the framework of choice: humans can choose a path of downward spiral in its disregard for the dignity of all life and the magnificence of human life, intelligence, creativity, spirituality and compassion or we can choose to build a community in which all of life flourishes.
Pope Leo highlights the consequences of human choice-making including an unprecedented acknowledgement of the Catholic Church’s participation in slavery. LCWR resonates with this as we claim the participation of countless religious congregations of women in this country who refused admission of women of color. Thank you, Pope Leo, for your ongoing witness to truth, love, peace and justice that compels us to examine our conscience and deepen our consciousness as missionary disciples.
