The three octogenarians made global headlines after fleeing a Catholic care home earlier this year to return to their abandoned convent in central Austria.

Nearly a quarter of a million people now follow the nuns on Instagram, where they document their efforts to renovate their home, Goldenstein Castle.

Church officials say Bernadette, Regina and Rita can stay in the convent “until further notice”, The Guardian reports.

However, the nuns fired back in a statement that the undertaking was “legally worthless” because it implies that permission could be withdrawn.

They called for dialogue with the Archdiocese of Salzburg to find a permanent solution that is “both just and legally compliant”.