Vatican Reports US Nuns - The Vatican released its much anticipated reports of a 5-year long investigation into the lives and "questionable" activities of American Catholic nuns on Tuesday.
The Vatican report on US nuns, which urged American nuns to adhere more to Church principles, has been described as conciliatory and realistic.
Reports indicate that in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI commissioned the investigation because different sections of the Vatican were worried about the trajectory of the activities of American nuns.
There were concerns that American nuns were getting too involved in politics. That they have been infiltrated and polarized by "radical feminism" and had taken to secular teachings. Their stand on abortion and homosexuality was also questioned.
However, the Vatican report on US nuns, which is officially called the "Apostolic Visitation", praised the nuns for their social and educational work in hospitals, and in less privileged communities across the country.
"Sorry, folks, this is not a controversial document," said Mother M. Clare Millea, an American nun and lead member of the inquiry. She explained that the investigation was "a challenge for all of us."
"It is not a document of blame or simplistic solutions," Sister Sharon Holland, president of the Leadership Council of Women Religious, said at the conference where the report was launched.
She added that the investigation, which involved 341 religious orders and at least 50,000 nuns, was encouraging and appreciative of the challenges and work of American nuns.
"One can read the text and feel appreciated and trusted to carry on," Sister Sharon Holland added.
The 12-page Vatican report on US nuns reportedly made no specific mentions of particular areas in which the women religious- the official name for nuns in America - had erred. However, it urged them to "carefully review their spiritual practices and ministry to assure that these are in harmony with Catholic teachings."
The report acknowledged that many nuns felt the need and called for more women to be appointed to governing positions from which they can make decisions that have important effects on their lives and ministries.
Pope Francis has responded to the nun's call for "greater recognition." On Tuesday, while in a meeting with American nuns, The Holy See promised that more women would be given leadership roles in the Vatican.
The inquiry has also acknowledged that fewer women are becoming nuns - the average age for American nuns was 70. Today, American nuns number about 50,000 compared to 125,000 in the 1960s.
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