Dispute over Goldenstein Monastery: Salzburg demands 64,000 euros back from nuns

Dispute over Goldenstein Monastery: Salzburg demands 64,000 euros back from nuns

Things are boiling again in Salzburg. The conflict over the Goldenstein Monastery overshadows the current news situation and causes some excitement. The state of Salzburg is demanding a repayment of around 64,000 euros in social assistance from the Reichersberg Augustinian Monastery, which, according to the authorities, was wrongly applied for. The allegations relate to care services that were requested for two sisters, even though the religious order had sufficient resources to ensure care itself. This information was published in an article by EWTN published.

However, the Augustinian Canons' Monastery vehemently rejects the allegations. According to her statement, the application for social assistance was completely in accordance with the law. Harald Schiffl, spokesman for the order's superior provost Markus Grasl, emphasizes that all contributions to the sisters have been properly made over the decades. The Salzburg-surroundings district administration also legally examined and approved the applications, it was reported Catholic.de.

The background to the dispute

The conflict over the Goldenstein Monastery has been dragging on for several years. In 2020 the community shrank to fewer than five sisters, which led to the Vatican placing it under the leadership of Provost Grasl in 2022. A handover agreement secures the sisters a lifelong right of residence as long as they are medically able to do so. This was officially guaranteed to the Archdiocese of Salzburg and the Reichersberg Monastery, but the need for social assistance for the sisters is now being questioned.

In 2023, a move to the Kahlsperg senior citizens' residence had to be ordered because the monastery was in a dilapidated condition and the sisters were in poor health. Before that happened, however, the nuns re-occupied their former monastery in September 2025 after receiving support from around 200 helpers. This incident attracted international attention, especially on social media, where the nuns gained almost 73,000 followers on Instagram, says Katholisch.de.

The legal framework

The state of Salzburg sees the reclaiming of social assistance as justified because the handover agreement changed the legal basis for entitlement to social assistance. The authority also found that the handover contract was not submitted to the social department, which is considered abuse. Provost Grasl was invited to a clarifying discussion with the authorities to clarify the circumstances. If the approval of the payments is withdrawn, he explains, the amount will of course be repaid, reports EWTN.

However, the nuns continue to stand behind the benefits they applied for and, through their lawyer, are demanding that six points that “require investigation” be examined that are directed against Provost Grasl.

This long and complicated legal battle not only highlights the financial aspects, but also focuses on the needs and rights of the remaining nuns of Goldenstein. The events surrounding the monastery raise questions that go far beyond the current dispute and question the role of religious communities in modern Austria.