Nuns in Arlington expelled from religious life in months-long dispute with Fort Worth bishop

Carmelite nuns in Arlington, who have been at the center of months-long discussions with the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Vatican, have been removed from religious life, according to the statement on the diocese’s website.

The statement comes from Sister Marie of the Incarnation, the Vatican’s appointed authority over nuns and the Convent of the Most Holy Trinity.

The statement said, “I ask for your continued prayers and sacrifices on behalf of these seven women who returned to the ordinary state through their own actions.” “Our only wish is that the deposed members of Carmel will repent so that the monastery property can be renamed a convent inhabited by Discalced Carmelite Nuns, canonically in good standing with the Church of Rome. Please pray for me for this intention.”

The nuns have been locked in a dispute with the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Vatican for more than a year. It all started when Bishop Michael Olson investigated a report that the nuns’ leader, Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, had broken her vow of chastity with a priest outside the diocese.

The nuns sued Olson over allegations of invasion of privacy and theft of personal property related to his investigation, but a Tarrant County judge threw out the lawsuit, ruling that the case was a church matter.

A few weeks ago, the nuns living at the wooded convent in Arlington transferred ownership of their property to a foundation of philanthropists and supporters.

The nuns did not comment on why they transferred the Most Holy Trinity Monastery to the foundation, but had previously stated that they did not want Olson and the diocese to sell the property. Olson has stated multiple times and in court testimony that he never intended to do this.

Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity It is currently owned by the Friends of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington Inc. The change runs counter to an order from the Vatican in April that placed nuns under the authority of the Society of Jesus the King to handle most day-to-day affairs. monastery.

Olson will also oversee some aspects of monastery governance, such as holding elections, according to letters from Olson and the Vatican. Rome appointed Mother Marie of the Incarnation, president of the Society of Jesus the King, as supreme superior of Carmel, but the nuns defied Rome’s orders.

Nuns published a statement expression On September 14, he said he was aligned with the Society of Saint Pius X, a traditionalist society at odds with the Vatican.

Sister Marie said in an Oct. 1 statement on the Diocese’s website that the society “is currently an irregular canonical relationship” with the church.

“The Society of Christ the King does not support Arlington Carmel’s move beyond the boundaries of open union with Rome, was not consulted on this move, and has not cooperated in any way on this matter,” he wrote.

sisters too announced He said elections were held in August and Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach was elected as abbot for a three-year term. The election was not allowed by the Society of Jesus the King and Rome.

This is an evolving story.