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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).”