Austrian nuns on the run

A church moved three old nuns into a care home. But the nuns didn't like it. They ran back home to their convent.

Sister Bernadette: "We are finally back home and in the convent."

The nuns live in Castle Goldenstein in Austria. Sister Bernadette's 88. Sister Regina's 86. Sister Rita's only 82. They taught at the castle's school. Now, ex-students are helping them. The nuns were kind, says Martina.

Martina Krispler: "There are between 100 and 150 of us who currently support the nuns. We do this because the nuns were always warm, loving, and caring toward us during our school days, and we simply disagree with how the Church is treating them."

Things started to change in 2022. A monastery took over. The nuns could continue to live at the convent. But if their health was very bad, they needed to live in a care home. In December 2023, their new manager sent the nuns to a Catholic care home. In 2024, the convent closed.

But the nuns weren't happy and left. They had a contract with the church. They could live at the convent.

Sister Bernadette: "In his eyes, we have broken it (our vows), but not in our eyes, because the contract states that we are allowed to return or have the right to stay here until we die. And we have exercised this right."

The nuns couldn't get into their convent rooms. But their old students helped them. The electricity and water were off. But they're happier back home.

Martina Krispler: "They blossomed from the very first day they were back. Sister Regina was in such bad shape in Karlsberg that she was even given astronaut food to eat. And when I came last week, Sister Regina ate three plates of goulash. So that's a sign that they're doing well and that they're just happy to be back home."

The Catholic church has to think about its rules. Who should choose where older nuns can live? Weniger anzeigen