Three Austrian nuns in their 80s who ran away from the old people's home where they were placed have been told they can stay in their former convent until further notice. However, Church authorities say they can only stay if they stop posting on social media.
Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, are the last three nuns at the Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, just outside Salzburg. The nuns claim they were taken out of the convent against their will in December 2023.
In September, they moved back in with the help of former students and a locksmith, angering Church officials. Provost Markus Grasl from Reichersberg Abbey expressed that the nuns' decision to return to the convent was completely incomprehensible.
The sisters' story has garnered significant media attention, with supporters providing assistance for food, electricity, and social media posting, showcasing aspects of their daily lives, including Sister Rita's exercise videos.
The nuns have accumulated nearly 100,000 Instagram followers and several thousand on Facebook, further amplifying their story. Recently, a spokesperson from the Provost stated that a proposal was discussed which allows the nuns to remain in the convent if they relinquish their social media accounts and restrict access to non-order individuals within their living quarters.
If they adhere to these conditions, the Church has committed to providing them with medical care and spiritual support from a priest. The nuns have not yet agreed to these terms, leaving their future at the convent uncertain.
The Kloster Goldenstein has been a significant location in the lives of these women, with Sister Bernadette having attended the associated school herself since 1948, and all three contributing to its teachings over the decades.
