Texas Nuns Defy Vatican Decree, Seek Restraining Order Against Bishop and Carmelite Association

A group of cloistered nuns in Arlington, Texas have filed for a temporary restraining order against Bishop Michael Olson, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, and the Association of Christ the King in the United States of America. The Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity is seeking to prevent these parties from entering the monastery premises or taking any action on behalf of the monastery, in defiance of a recent Vatican decree.

The Vatican had entrusted the governance of the monastery to the Carmelite association last week, naming its president Mother Marie as the lawful superior. The decree also ordered the monastery to regularize its relationship with Bishop Olson, with whom the nuns have been feuding over the past year. However, the nuns argue that the monastery is an independent Texas nonprofit corporation protected under state law, and that neither the bishop nor the association have legal authority to govern it.

The dispute began in 2023 when Bishop Olson launched an investigation into the monastery's former prioress, Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, over allegations that she violated her vow of chastity with a priest. Mother Teresa Agnes denied the accusations, and the nuns filed a civil lawsuit against Olson, accusing him of invading their privacy and overstepping his authority. The Vatican had originally granted Olson temporary governing authority over the nuns, but the monastery never recognized that authority.

Why this matters: This case highlights the complex relationship between local religious orders, diocesan bishops, and the Vatican. It also raises questions about the extent to which civil law can intervene in internal church governance matters.

The Diocese of Fort Worth has called the nuns' refusal to accept the Vatican order "sad and troubling," maintaining that this is an internal church matter. "It is disappointing that the Nuns have decided to involve the civil courts in what is an internal church matter," the diocese said in a statement. The Vatican has not yet publicly responded to the nuns' defiance of its decrees. If the restraining order is granted, it would prevent Bishop Olson, Mother Marie, and any representatives of the diocese or the association from entering the monastery grounds or acting on the monastery's behalf while the case proceeds through the courts.

Key Takeaways

• Cloistered nuns in Texas file restraining order against bishop, diocese, and association
• Dispute over governance of monastery after Vatican decree placed it under new leadership
• Nuns argue monastery is independent, bishop and association lack legal authority to govern
• Dispute stems from investigation into former prioress over alleged vow of chastity violation
• Restraining order would prevent bishop, new superior, and representatives from monastery access