Three elderly nuns from Austria, Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, have returned to their former convent at Kloster Goldenstein in Elsbethen, near Salzburg. The nuns, the last remaining members of the convent, left a Catholic care home where they had been placed in December 2023, reportedly against their wishes.
The transition back was facilitated by former students and a locksmith, as the convent had locked its doors since their departure. Upon their return, the nuns found the facility lacking basic utilities like electricity and water. Church authorities expressed concern regarding the nuns’ decision to return, describing it as incomprehensible. Provost Markus Grasl noted that the convent’s conditions no longer met the standards necessary for proper care, emphasizing that the care home had provided essential medical support.
The convent has been in operation as both a religious residence and a school since 1877. While the school continues to function, the nuns stated that their removal from the convent was executed without their consent, countering that they had a right to live there for life, as previously promised.
Following their escape, the nuns have settled back into their environment with partial utility restoration and support from former students. They have expressed a strong desire to remain at the convent. One former student emphasized the importance of their presence, asserting that the essence of the convent is tied to the nuns themselves. Despite the challenges they face, the nuns have voiced a firm intent to stay, prioritizing their connection to the convent over returning to the care home.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y8r2gk0vyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss