The tale of three elderly nuns who escaped from a retirement home to return to their abandoned convent has captured global attention. A dispute involving the sisters and the Roman Catholic authorities has recently intensified.
The nuns—Bernadette, 88; Regina, 86; and Rita, 82—located at the Goldenstein Castle convent, turned down an offer from church officials on Friday. This proposal would have allowed them to remain in the convent “until further notice,” contingent upon their agreeing to avoid social media engagement, which the sisters firmly rejected. Their spokeswoman, Christina Wirtenberger, emphasized that signing the agreement would strip them of essential public support and protection.
For the past two years, following the abbot’s closure of their living quarters at the abbey, the sisters were relocated to a retirement home, a move they claim was against their wishes—a point contested by church officials. In September, they made their getaway from the retirement home and returned to the convent near Salzburg, where they have since documented their lives and garnered a substantial following on Instagram.
In response to the sisters’ actions, Provost Markus Grasl of Reichersberg Abbey requested that they be returned to a Catholic care home due to their health issues and accused them of violating their religious vows.
On Friday, church officials softened their stance and proposed that the sisters could remain at Goldenstein indefinitely, provided they met specific conditions. These terms included a complete stop to all social media interactions, restrictions on media contact, and the immediate dismissal of any legal counsel. Additionally, while the sisters would receive medical care and spiritual support from a priest, they might be transferred to a nearby care home if their health declined.
Despite the church’s reassurances, including remaining in the convent under the dubious condition of “until further notice,” the sisters found the offer legally insignificant and chose to continue their fight for autonomy and presence within their beloved community.
This ongoing situation highlights the resilience and determination of the nuns as they seek to reclaim their independence and define their lives on their own terms, resonating with a wider audience that admires their spirited defiance against the rigid structures often found in religious institutions.