"In Austria, a case involving nuns fleeing their convents illuminates the predicament of aged and dwindling religious communities"
In the picturesque town of Salzburg, Austria, a heartwarming tale of resilience and community support unfolds. Three elderly nuns, Sister Bernadette, Sister Regina, and Sister Rita, have returned to their longtime monastery, Schloss Goldenstein, after a controversial relocation to the Kahlsperg nursing home.
Since 1877, Schloss Goldenstein has housed a convent and private girls' school, now a co-educational facility. The nuns, who belong to the Augustinian order, have called this former castle their home for centuries.
However, due to their advanced age and health conditions, church officials faced the challenge of providing responsible retirement provision. Independent living at Goldenstein Monastery was no longer possible, and the original building had become too large for the remaining members of the order. Specially employed assistants were no longer sufficient for practical needs.
In 2018, the Vatican's Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life issued "Cor Orans," implementing Pope Francis' apostolic constitution on women's contemplative life, "Vultum Dei Quaerere." This new guideline allows for the appointment of a superior, either from within the order's own family or from another community, when religious orders become too small or their members reach a very advanced age.
Provost Markus Grasl of Reichersberg Abbey, the sisters' superior, made the decision to relocate them to the Kahlsperg Castle senior home. He stated that it was made for the well-being of the sisters and out of concern for them. However, the sisters had expressed that care is best offered in their longtime home at Schloss Goldenstein.
The relocation was met with resistance, and the sisters were sent back to Schloss Goldenstein with the help of a former student and a local locksmith. Sophie Tauscher, a former student, has stated that "Goldenstein without the nuns is just not possible" and that they will always be there to support the sisters.
Upon returning to Schloss Goldenstein, the sisters have received partial restoration of services, medical care, and help with meals and fellowship from volunteers, including former students. The Hallein Franciscan Sisters, who run the Kahlsperg care center, ensure that the sisters receive professional care and can continue their religious and spiritual life.
This story serves as a reminder of the deep connection between the nuns and their community, and the importance of respecting the wishes of those who have dedicated their lives to service.
Gina Christian, a multimedia reporter for the specified website, covers this development in detail, providing insights into the challenges faced by religious orders in providing appropriate care for their elderly members and the community's response to the nuns' return.
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