Revolution in the monastery: The nuns are fighting for their home in Goldenstein!

Revolution in the monastery: The nuns are fighting for their home in Goldenstein!

In a moving case of self-determination and resistance, three nuns, Sister Bernadette (88), Sister Regina (86) and Sister Rita (82), returned to their former monastery in Goldenstein Castle after several years in a retirement home. This remarkable step caused a stir in recent weeks and sparked a wave of solidarity, not only in Austria, but also in Germany. The nuns report the impressive support they have received, including significant donations that have so far reached over 21,000 euros in a specially set up account.

The nuns' story is one of an unwanted move: after their monastery was dissolved, they were moved to a nursing home against their will. But after two years, the nuns decided enough was enough. They quickly ordered a locksmith and literally “broke” back to their beloved monastery. They now live back in Goldenstein, where they have regained a good portion of joy in life despite difficult conditions such as the electricity being turned off and the stair lift being removed.

Dealing with church leadership

What makes the conflict even more exciting is the dispute with Provost Markus Grasl from the Augustinian Monastery in Reichersberg. He has insisted that the nuns can no longer live in Goldenstein due to their health conditions. The nuns, on the other hand, report a significant improvement in their health since their return. To clarify their case, they even reported Grasl and another churchman to the public prosecutor. The accusation: Questions surrounding her forced transfer to a retirement home and hundreds of thousands of euros in the order's assets remain unanswered.

Behind the scenes, media coverage of the nuns is also viewed critically. Harald Schiffl, a communications consultant from Vienna, says that the media's heating up of the situation is not good for the church and suspects that the sisters are deliberately being put in the spotlight. It should be noted, however, that Grasl cared intensively for the sisters' well-being and that the sisters should actually receive good care in the nursing home in Kahlsperg.

A monastery full of stories

The Goldenstein Monastery has a long history and was owned by the Augustinian choir women for over a century. The monastery also became known for the monastery school, which was run as a girls' school until 2017 and has produced numerous prominent graduates such as Romy Schneider. Sister Rita has already made plans to revitalize the monastery garden with fresh cultivation of flowers and vegetables - an action that will not only benefit the environment, but also the nuns themselves.

The nuns' Instagram channel now has around 70,000 followers, and their videos on TikTok have gone viral. In doing so, they not only attract public interest, but also set an example for more self-determination and joy in life in old age. Her story provides a fascinating contrast to the challenges older people often face in institutional structures.

The situation in Goldenstein shows us all: If your heart is in the right place, you can work miracles even in the face of adversity. Whether these nuns will continue to occupy their monastery or whether the institutions will exert their influence remains to be seen - but one thing is certain: the story is far from over.

For more information, see the detailed reports Rhine Palatinate, katholisch.de and NDR be read.