Arlington Nuns Prohibit Bishop’s Entry to Monastery Until He Shows Remorse

• A dispute has arisen between a group of nuns in Texas and a local bishop regarding a nun’s alleged violation of her chastity vow.
• The nuns have taken the drastic step of banning Bishop Michael Olson from their monastery and demanding an apology for his “abuse” towards them.
• In response, the bishop has threatened to excommunicate the nun in charge of the monastery.

A contentious dispute has emerged between a group of nuns in Texas and Bishop Michael Olson of the Fort Worth Diocese. The conflict revolves around an allegation that one of the nuns violated her chastity vow, causing tensions to heighten between the two parties.

Declaring their position publicly, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington have formally disassociated themselves from Olson and the Fort Worth Diocese. They have forbidden any diocese officials from entering their monastery or having any interaction with the nuns.

The nuns’ statement emphasizes that they remain loyal to the Catholic Church but cannot, in good conscience, align themselves with the Diocese due to the alleged abuse they have suffered from Bishop Olson.

The conflict began when the bishop and his officials arrived at the monastery in May, interrogating the nuns and confiscating their phones and electronic devices. This investigation was initiated to determine if Reverend Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach had violated her vow of chastity with a priest.

A chastity vow is a sacred commitment made by nuns and priests in Catholicism to celibacy. The nuns’ attorney, Matthew Bobo, strongly denied the allegation against Gerlach, considering it false and insulting.

Following the public accusation by Olson, the nuns filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages, asserting that the bishop and the Diocese were abusing their power. However, a Texas judge dismissed the lawsuit, deeming it a church matter rather than a civil one.

It is worth noting that the nuns’ attorney has confirmed that there are no plans to appeal the lawsuit’s dismissal. This is because the Vatican is conducting a canonical investigation into the issue, which can only proceed once the civil litigation has concluded.

Bishop Olson released a statement expressing the possibility of excommunicating Reverend Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach due to her “schismatic actions.” Furthermore, he stated that the monastery would remain closed to the public until it disavows Gerlach’s scandalous and schismatic behavior.

Olson, being deeply hurt by the division caused within the Diocese of Fort Worth, has expressed his willingness to assist Gerlach on her path of reconciliation and healing.