Hostile response to controversial order in Switzerland

Warnings about "Maria Stella Matutina": Diocese of St. Gallen "re-evaluates the situation"

At the end of November, it was announced that the community of the Sisters of "Maria Stella Matutina" would be settling in Wonnenstein Monastery. This has caused concern – because the community is controversial.

The community of the Sisters of "Maria Stella Matutina" (Mary Morning Star) is scheduled to move into Wonnenstein Monastery starting in Advent 2026. The sponsoring association of the former Capuchin convent in Teufen announced at the end of November that it had signed a corresponding agreement with the community.

The news sparked concern. The editors of kath.ch received letters warning against "Maria Stella Matutina." Furthermore, on December 3, a group called "Collectif Réparez" (Repair Collective) expressed criticism in several posts on the X platform regarding the decision to establish the community of sisters in the Diocese of St. Gallen.

The “Collectif Réparatif” is an association of former members of the Community of St. John, from which “Maria Stella Matutina” emerged after a schism. If the settlement is not prevented, the diocese could be held “responsible for the continuation of the misconduct described by former members,” one of the posts stated.

The warnings also reached the Diocese of St. Gallen: “Many reactions have presented us with a new set of facts,” the diocese’s communications officer, Isabella Awad, stated in response to an inquiry. “We take the concerns expressed by those affected and by Swiss religious superiors very seriously and are re-evaluating the situation.”

But why is the “Maria Stella Matutina” community, founded in Spain in 2014, controversial? Much of it has to do with its origins, which are documented on the “Collectif Réparatif” website. The French Catholic daily newspaper "La Croix" also described her in two articles ("Héritières des frères Philippe: l’incroyable cavale des soeurs de Maria Stella Matutina" from July 10, 2023; "Stella Matutina: comment les dernières fidèles des frères Philippe ont manipulé le Vatican" from July 11, 2023).

The Founder – An Abuser

"Maria Stella Matutina" emerged from a community of contemplative sisters within the Community of St. John, founded by the French Dominican Marie-Dominique Philippe (1912–2006). As is now known, the founder was an abuser. In 2019, the priest was the focus of the Arte documentary "God's Abused Servants." According to the program, he allegedly abused nuns for years.

In 2023, the Community of St. John, also founded by a Dominican, published a report on sexual and spiritual abuse perpetrated by Marie-Dominique Philippe and at least 72 brothers, as can be read on the news website cath.ch.

Abuses in the Founding Community

Years earlier – in 2008 – the Contemplative Sisters of St. John came under scrutiny from the Church hierarchy. In June 2009, French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin decided to replace the community's leadership.

The Superior General and co-founder, Alix Parmentier, was asked to resign and replaced by a new Superior General. "This decision follows findings of dysfunction in the organization's management and abuse of power," according to the Brothers of St. John's website.

Some of the sisters refused to accept the decisions of the Church hierarchy and withheld obedience from the new Superior General. This led to departures from the original community. In November 2009, the community was placed under the supervision of an apostolic commissioner. Rome demanded that the four former leaders—including Alix Parmentier, Marthe Hubac, and Isabelle Hubac—live outside the community.

Failures—and then a new foundation

In 2012, dissenting sisters founded a new community called the "Institute of the Sisters of Saint John and Saint Dominic"—after an attempt to establish a presence in Mexico had failed. Seventy novices joined the new community. However, Pope Benedict XVI dissolved the institute in January 2013.

A year later, the sisters succeeded in gaining a foothold in Spain—and also in founding a new community there. According to "La Croix" (July 11, 2023), the sisters received a second chance thanks to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. In July 2014, José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of San Sebastian in Spain, signed the statutes of "Maria Stella Matutina" at the Trinity Monastery in Bergara with the blessing of Rome.

Were conditions violated?

However, there were conditions attached: Alix Parmentier (who died in 2016), Marthe and Isabelle Hubac, and another sister were to be excommunicated from religious life. According to the newspaper "La Croix" (July 11, 2023), this condition remained a dead letter. "In reality, the excommunication decrees remained ineffective until Cardinal Braz de Aviz insisted on enacting them on July 19, 2021, seven years later." None of the sanctioned women have left the community to this day. "They even continue to exercise complete control over it," the newspaper reports.

This is also written by a former novice named Jennifer Deal in a multi-page document dated June 16, 2023. She states that she lived in a branch of "Maria Stella Matutina" from September 2019 to November 2020 and later from September 2021 to March 2022. According to the former novice, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe and Alix Parmentier continue to be venerated "like saints."

Psychological pressure and depression?

In her testimony, Jennifer Deal describes further problematic aspects, including a lack of caution in the admission of candidates, inadequate training with a focus on the philosophy of Marie-Dominique Philippe, a lack of spiritual guidance, isolation, and a sectarian attitude.

Fifteen years after the serious abuses that led to psychological suffering among the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John, nothing seems to have changed at Stella Matutina, writes "La Croix" (July 11, 2023).

Fifteen years after the serious abuses that led to psychological suffering among the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John, nothing seems to have changed at Stella Matutina, writes "La Croix" (July 11, 2023). The witness statements, to which the newspaper has access, “describe the same hectic daily routine, the meals eaten alone in their cells, the begging, the influence and psychological pressure exerted by the superiors at the top of a pyramidal and infantilizing system, the exhaustion, the depression, and the suicide attempts concealed from their families…”

Community speaks of defamation

Kath.ch has asked the community “Maria Stella Matutina” for a statement regarding the allegations.

“Our community was founded with the permission and support of Pope Francis and our legitimate authorities in the Church, and together with them we are considering all these issues,” responds Prioress General Sister Mary Thomas to a series of questions. The Prioress General describes Jennifer Deal’s letter as defamation.

According to its own statements, “Maria Stella Matutina” has 25 priories worldwide and is present in various dioceses in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia. The headquarters are located in Parma, Italy. There is currently no branch in Switzerland.

Background - hostile source!

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