Conservative nuns have locks changed on their cells and are sent to an old peoples home without any personal possessions . €50,000 missing. Contractual agreement breached. Yet more victims of Cor Orans.
Nuns oppose the dissolution of their convent
"Protection from neglect"?
An Austrian religious order consisting of three very elderly sisters has been dissolved. However, the sisters insist on remaining in the dilapidated Reichersberg Abbey until the end of their lives.
Three Augustinian nuns are opposing the decision of the church and order to force them to leave their convent in Goldenstein Castle near Salzburg.
The Archdiocese of Salzburg and Reichersberg Abbey had guaranteed the nuns, aged 81 to 88, a lifelong right of residence, but conditioned this on the condition "as long as their health and spirituality allow," as the "Passauer Neue Presse" reported on Thursday.
After hospital stays, the nuns Bernadette (88), Regina (86), and Rita (81) were taken to the Caritas Kahlsperg Senior Home near Hallein in December 2023. "We could no longer return to our rooms; the locks were changed; we no longer had access to our belongings," said Sister Bernadette.
"Sissi" actress also attended the order's school
The three women had directed and taught at the Catholic secondary school Schloss Goldenstein for decades, which was also attended by "Sissi" actress and actress Romy Schneider.
After the small community was dissolved in early 2024, the Archdiocese of Salzburg and Reichersberg Abbey assumed responsibility for the school and convent. According to the Vatican document "Cor Orans," (follow link giving two other cases) which regulates the life of contemplative women's orders, a community comprising fewer than five sisters may no longer elect its own superior. The criteria listed in the document for dissolving a community include, among other things, "the number of nuns and the advanced age of the majority of members." According to a statement from the Archdiocese of Salzburg and the Austrian Conference of Religious Orders, discussions have been held for years with the sisters, their federation, and the Vatican. The sisters' wish to continue operating their former school has been granted.
Provost Markus Grasl, the papal commissioner responsible for the order, commented on this in a statement on the website of the Austrian Conference of Religious Orders. "An independent life in the Goldenstein Monastery was no longer possible or justifiable due to the advanced age and precarious health of the sisters, as well as the spiritual needs of the order and the structural condition of the monastery. This step was necessary to ensure care, support, and protection from possible neglect and attacks by third parties." The decision to dissolve the monastery was therefore made in close consultation with the sisters, according to Grasl.
At the same time, the sisters' wish to spend their final years in their ancestral monastery is fully understood, emphasizes Sister Christine Rod, Secretary General of the Austrian Conference of Religious Orders: "On a human-emotional level, it's about questions of age-appropriate care – similar to any family – and also about providing the sisters with the best possible support during a very challenging phase of their lives. Due to their advanced age and state of health, independent living in the Goldenstein Monastery was no longer possible."
They ended up in a nursing home against their will! At least: The three beleaguered nuns of Goldenstein can now look forward to free medical treatment and more than 1,000 euros in donations.
"We are truly grateful; the willingness to help is incredible." The nuns Regina, Rita, and Bernadette can hardly believe it. The story of the last nuns of the Goldenstein Convent moves the people of Salzburg – and opens their hearts and wallets. They have donated almost 1,200 euros for the three women so far – the money is currently being managed by a former graduate of the Goldenstein School.
"We were shipped off"
As reported, the nuns bequeathed the Elsbethen monastery and school, each half to the Archdiocese of Salzburg and half to Reichersberg Abbey. A contract was intended to ensure that the nuns could spend their final years in the monastery. Things turned out differently: The three women ended up in a retirement home against their will.
According to their accounts, the nuns were not even allowed to take their personal belongings with them. They no longer have access to their accounts, and almost €50,000 in cash is said to have disappeared. "We were shipped off," is the bitter conclusion of the three nuns. The Archdiocese and Reichersberg Abbey vehemently deny these allegations – the "Krone" newspaper reported.
The nuns can look forward to more than just donations. An internist and private doctor from Flachgau treated the women free of charge. Martha Bachmayer, a dentist from Hallein, also didn't charge a single euro for her treatments. Attorney Reinhard Bruzek has been fighting for a year to allow the three nuns to return to their former home in the Goldenstein convent – also so far completely free of charge.
But two and a half years ago
Iron profession of Sister M. Bernadette
Special anniversary at the Goldenstein convent
On the Solemnity of St Peter Fourier, the founder of the Augustinian nuns, Sister M. Bernadette Bangler confirmed her profession, which she made 65 years ago.
The festive service was celebrated by Prelate Markus Grasl, Apostolic Commissioner of the Goldenstein Monastery and Provost of the Augustinian Canons of Reichersberg, together with the canons of Reichersberg, St Thaddeus from Klosterneuburg Abbey and Fr Jakob from St Peter's Archabbey in Salzburg, who was born in Elsbethen and made his first profession.
In his sermon, Prelate Markus recalled his first visit to the Goldenstein monastery 28 years ago and emphasised the importance of the profession for a monastery: "For a monastic community, the profession is the most important celebration, because it is an expression of the will of constancy and commitment for a lifetime." He also thanked the sisters for their life testimony, all the companions of the Goldenstein convent and, in particular, those who had contributed to this festive day.
A communal banquet in the school's dining hall rounded off this special day of celebration.
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