Vatican releases warm report on U.S. nuns

VATICAN CITY, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A six-year investigation of U.S. nuns that caused anger and fear when it began ended Tuesday with a generally positive report.

Mother M. Clare Miller, a U.S. nun who directed the investigation, called the report "a challenge for all of us."

"Sorry, folks. This is not a controversial document," she told reporters at a news conference.

The investigation, called a visitation, was launched under Pope Benedict XVI. Millea said that Pope Francis, who succeeded Benedict two years ago, said he wanted to give U.S. nuns his blessing as he celebrated Mass with some of those involved in preparing the report Tuesday.

The church had criticized the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, suggesting the group, which includes about 80 percent of U.S. nuns, had moved toward feminism at the expense of church teaching.

The group was put under the supervision of a bishop two years ago.

Sister Sharon Holland, who heads the leadership conference, spoke at the news conference.

"It is not a document of blame or simplistic solutions," she said. "One can read the text and feel appreciated and trusted to carry on."

Sister Carol Zinn, a past president of the conference, told the Washington Post the report is a result of "transition" in the church, including the election of Francis. Francis, the first South American pope, has urged the church to reach out to homosexuals, the divorced and other groups.

"I would like to offer another sound bite. This experience has been a learning experience for the entire church," she said.

The report did not provide many detailed suggestions. And it did suggest that U.S. orders have a long-term problem.

There are about 50,000 women in religious life in the United States now, down from 125,000 50 years ago. The median age of U.S. nuns is in the 70s, and many orders are having financial problems in spite of "careful stewardship."

The report also said efforts to draw more women into religious life have not been successful.

One fear when the investigation began was that the Vatican wanted to survey the finances and assets of convents with a view to dissolving them.