The Great Escape: Nuns Return to Their Beloved Convent
In a story that has captured hearts worldwide, three elderly nuns have been granted permission to remain in the Austrian castle they call home, at least for now. Sisters Bernadette, 88, Regina, 86, and Rita, 82, former teachers at the school adjacent to their convent, made headlines in September when they moved back into Goldenstein Castle in Elsbethen, near Salzburg.
This act of defiance against their spiritual superiors, who had moved them into a care home, saw the trio gain a massive global following. They have been chronicling their tumultuous journey and the joy of their homecoming on social media, endearing themselves to thousands.
A Community Rallies Behind the Sisters
The nuns have not been alone in their stand. A network of local supporters and former pupils has rallied to their aid, providing essential supplies and assistance. This community effort has ensured the sisters have food, clothing, and medical care. Crucially, a chairlift was even installed to help the octogenarians access their third-floor living quarters in the old stone building.
Their religious superior, Provost Markus Grasl from Reichersberg Abbey, had maintained that the convent was an unsafe environment for the sisters due to their age and frailty. He repeatedly accused them of breaking their vows of obedience, a charge the nuns have consistently denied.
A Conditional Reprieve and Ongoing Negotiations
Following a meeting between representative parties, church officials announced on Friday that the sisters could stay at Goldenstein Castle "until further notice." This decision came after a proposal was put forward by Provost Grasl in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
However, the deal comes with strict conditions that the nuns have yet to accept. The reported terms include:
- A complete cessation of all social media activity.
- A ban on outside visitors to the convent.
- The settlement of an ongoing legal dispute.
Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that if the health of any of the women deteriorates, they would be registered at the Elsbethen nursing home and placed on its waiting list. Church officials have stated that adequate medical care and nursing help will be provided, and a priest will be made available to serve regular mass. This is a significant shift, as for months, priests had to be discreetly brought into the convent's chapel against the will of church authorities.
Negotiations are reportedly ongoing, with a response from the nuns' lawyer expected soon. "Now it's up to the sisters," a spokesman for Provost Grasl told the Austrian press. In a related financial matter, Grasl was recently ordered by the state to repay approximately €64,000 (around £56,000) in social welfare benefits that had been allocated for the nuns' care.
