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People are beginning to wonder if what's happening in Arlington, Texas is an Inquisition or a Holy War. From a monastery in Arlington to the Ft. Worth diocese Ft. Worth the controversy continues. 

The Monastery of The Most Holy Trinity, situated on 72 lush, wooded acres near South Bowen Road and West Sublett Road, has for all appearance maintained a secluded and peaceful existence since it was established in 1958. 

The cloistered Order of Discalced Carmelite Nuns, with its origins dating back to 1562, follows a tradition of dedicating most of their day to silent prayer.

In April things changed. Bishop Michael Olson who heads up the Ft. Worth diocese started an aggressive and public investigation of the nuns.  And accused the ailing Reverend Mother Teresa Gerlach of breaking her vows.

Police investigation

Arlington police have launched an investigation into Fort Worth Bishop Olson’s behavior, prompted by allegations of abuse.

Olson is demanding the police investigate the nuns for using cannabis products.

When the police came to interview Bishop Olson he complained about alleged drug use within the Arlington monastery of Carmelite nuns. And has publicly released photos from an “informant.” 

Police have conducted interviews. And police say the investigation is ongoing.

The inquisition 

This is not the first time Bishop Olson has taken a complaint public. In April, Olson launched an investigation after accusing Reverend Mother Teresa Gerlach of violating her vow of chastity with another unnamed priest.

The diocese claims it was calling out “grave” misconduct. And although he has publicly accused Gerlach, he refuses to give the “priest’s name.

On June 1, Olson issued a decree dismissing Gerlach from religious life. Gerlach firmly denies these allegations and is appealing her dismissal.

 She uses a wheelchair and feeding tube and had just come out of surgery when the Bishop started his investigation. The nun had been a member of the Order of Discalced Carmelite Nuns for 25 years.

“Bishop Olson forced the Reverend Mother to turn over her computer, iPad, and cellular phone to him personally,” according to legal documents. 

The physical property has since been returned. The nuns allege that the diocese made digital copies of the information containing “private correspondence, private documents, extensive medical records,” and financial information, “including but not limited to donor lists.” 

“This is the private property of the Plaintiffs, none of which is relevant or related to the canonical investigation, which according to the Defendants has now been concluded,” the suit says. 

The Holy War

The cloistered Order of Discalced Carmelite Nuns filed a civil lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages. The nuns further challenged Olson’s authority to conduct the investigation, arguing they were subject only to the Vatican.

New theft and defamation charges were filed on June 2 Friday against Bishop Michael Olson.

It was the nun's lawyer, Matthew Bobo, who contacted the Arlington police last week to report a series of complaints. 

These included accusations of illegal data seizure by the diocese. And claims of mistreatment of the nuns by Bishop Olson. 

The monastery alleges Olson and Fort Worth Diocese officials overstepped their power and engaged in criminal behavior during their investigation.

Gerlach and her legal team accuse Bishop Olson of egregious behavior, including screaming at the nuns, isolating Gerlach from her caregiver after surgery, and defaming her publicly.

Matthew Bobo, representing Gerlach, penned an open letter to Bishop Olson. He demanded answers regarding the specific allegations and the identity of the accused priest.

Bobo challenged the bishop's repeated public accusations, requesting concrete evidence to support the claims made against Gerlach.

Drug use 

It was only after the investigation began that the diocese shared photos alleging drug use within the monastery. The diocese claims these photos, taken by a confidential informant, show pill bottles, cannabis products, and drug paraphernalia scattered across cluttered tables.

The diocese insists that Bishop Olson has been working diligently, both privately and in coordination with law enforcement, to address issues within the monastery according to canonical norms.

Bishop Michael Olson, who leads a diocese of more than one million Catholics across close to 100 parishes, has been scrutinized. Critics of his leadership style signed a petition to remove him years ago.

Perhaps when the Arlington police finish the investigation, and the case comes to court there will be more answers.

If the Bishop is correct and the nuns are a drug using, vow breaking group of pretenders perhaps the Inquisition will purge the church of their sins.

But if the nuns are telling the truth. And the Bishop is abusive, and his investigators are lawbreakers, with an eye on property values and profit then perhaps they will win the Holy War.