Statement in Defense of Human Life and Nonviolence
October 10, 2026
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. East-West Province Affirm the USCCB and LCWR statements in Defense of Human Life and Nonviolence
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. East-West Province, join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in affirming the sacred dignity of every human life and opposing the death penalty in every case. We, too, are deeply troubled by the Department of War’s decision to livestream the execution of the man convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and implore it to reverse its decision.
Our foundress, Saint Julie Billiart, trusted that God is good and sent her Sisters to make that goodness known.
We believe that God’s goodness is shown to all, even one who has caused grave harm.
On this World Day Against the Death Penalty, we renew our commitment to its abolition and advocate for justice that heals rather than avenges.
Answering death with death cannot replace the lives of the 13 people killed at Fort Hood, nor heal the wounded and their families. We continue to hold them foremost in our hearts.
As educators for life, we know that a society learns from what it chooses to watch. We urge all people, including our Notre Dame learning communities, not to view or share such footage.
We ask people of goodwill to join us in praying for all victims of violence and those who mourn them, for all who await execution, and for a change of heart in our nation, entrusting these intentions to Mary, our Mother, and Saint Julie.
