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The serene existence of cloistered Carmelite nuns in Texas has been thrust into the public eye as the nuns continue battling the bishop. Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olsen’s public investigation of Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach vow of chastity is finished. 

But the Discalced Carmelite Nuns issued a statement on Saturday indicating the nuns are rejecting a Vatican decree to place them under new authority. The nuns believe that the actions amount to a hostile takeover. And is “effectively putting the fox in charge of the hen house.”

UPDATE: The nuns filed a temporary restraining order against the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Michael Olson, and The Association of Christ the King in the United States of America after the groups attempted to take control of the monastery.

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Battling the Bishop

In a statement published Saturday, the nuns said the Vatican issued the decree without their knowledge or consent and that it could threaten individual nuns, the integrity of the monastery and its assets.

“We are not ‘things’ to be traded or given away in back-room deals, but women vowed to the exclusive love and service of Almighty God,” the nuns wrote.

This is the latest development in a bitter and extraordinarily public battle between the nuns and Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson that has played out in dueling statements and in civil court.

In June the bishop accused the head nun of violating her vow of chastity with a priest years ago and launched an investigation.

The nuns accused Bishop Olson of overstepping his authority, claiming invasion of privacy and harassment. In court they claimed he had hours-long interrogations and seized computers and other property. The nuns were not allowed to have services and the bishop forbid them form their normal religious practices.

Financial Motives

The courtroom became a battleground where allegations flew, ranging from personal impropriety to claims of drug use within the monastery. Amidst these contentious proceedings, questions arose regarding the bishop's motives and the potential financial interests at play.

Speculation swirled regarding the value of the monastery's land and the implications for legacy donations and online revenue. Locals are wondering if the skyrocketing value of the monastery’s 70+ acre tract of land is part of the equation.

The nun’s attorney suggested that Bishop Olson was trying to obtain the financial records of the nuns, which the church does not have access to. And he may also be interested in the hefty legacy donations and proceeds from the nun’s online store.

The Vatican Steps in

On Friday, the Fort Worth diocese published a decree from the Vatican that turned over daily operations of the monastery to an association of Carmelite nuns, who would work with the bishop. 

In response to the Vatican's decree, Bishop Olson expressed a commitment to collaborate with the appointed association and facilitate the monastery's transition. 

The nuns said they will continue to bar Olson, and now the president of the Carmelite nuns association, from the monastery’s premises.

They also said they want Olson to “repent for his abuse” and issue private and public apologies to the nuns.

The Vatican's intervention decreed a transfer of authority over the monastery to an association of Carmelite nuns. This decision not only redirected oversight but also challenged the bishop's previous directives.

The last word

The nuns detailed statement ended on a defiant note.

“If Rome wishes to ‘save face’ and to sweep the issue of the abuse of the bishop under the carpet and move on regardless, this is unacceptable. In justice the issue of Bishop Olson must be dealt with for our good and for the good of the Diocese of Fort Worth as a whole.”

“We note that every US citizen is entitled to justice according to the law. Religious Profession does not cancel that right. Episcopal Consecration does not give the one consecrated the power to violate it. Last year we ceased our civil action so that the Holy See could proceed with their own processes.”

“Once we receive the responses to the recourses, we will instruct our civil lawyers to review the option of the further vindication and protection of our civil rights. “

“An abusive father, however, must be resisted. We take Pope Francis at his word when he invited Consecrated Women “to fight when, in some cases, they are treated unfairly, even within the Church…at times, by men of the Church.” (Video Message, 1 February 2022).”