In a fitting punctuation to the celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life, the investigation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) was concluded on April 16, 2015, with the issuance of a final report and  joint press release.   The LCWR is a leadership group that represents 80% of nuns in the U.S.

Four LCWR sisters met with Pope Francis later the same day.

They released the following statement:

“On April 16, 2015, Sister Marcia, Allen, CSJ; Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ; Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC; and Sister Janet Mock, CSJ had a 50-minute meeting with Pope Francis while conducting their annual visit to various Vatican offices. At the conclusion of the meeting, the LCWR officials stated, “We were honored to have this opportunity for such an extensive conversation with Pope Francis that centered on Evangelii gaudium, the pope’s apostolic exhortation that has so deeply impacted our lives as women religious and our mission in the world. Our conversation allowed us to personally thank Pope Francis for providing leadership and a vision that has captivated our hearts and emboldened us as in our own mission and service to the church. We were also deeply heartened by Pope Francis’ expression of appreciation for the witness given by Catholic sisters through our lives and ministry and will bring that message back to our members.”

Press accounts of the conclusion of LCWR investigation can be seen at:

Vatican Announcement 4-16-2015 > click here.

 NPR coverage > click here. 

National Catholic Reporter coverage > click here. 

A previous Vatican investigation of U.S. women religious was concluded in December 2014 > click here.