conversing in search of the truth. >> reporter: sister marlene hopes that's true, but -- >> there is no turning back. i don't think that that happens in any kind of living organism. god doesn't turn the church, doesn't turn creation in opposite directions. >> in other words, there is no turning back the clock for american nuns. our cnn analyst john allen tells us he expects the investigations will wrap up by december. and adds if the vatican wants the nuns to return to conservative lives, they should be patient. because young women who are considering sister hood are more conservative than their elders. and willing to return to wearing habits, although, convents, not so much. >> what is the fallout if anything in boycotting all or part of the questionnaire you were referring to? >> you know, we don't know. everything surrounding these