Elderly Austrian nuns who broke into their own convent granted conditional permission to stay
Three octogenarian nuns ran away from their nursing home and broke back into their former convent in Salzburg, Austria. They’ve now been granted conditional permission to stay.
Three nuns, namely 86-year-old Sister Regina, 81-year-old Sister Rita and 88-year-old Sister Bernadette, made a dash to return to Schloss Goldenstein, the Alpine convent and girls’ school where they had spent most of their lives. Several of their former students helped with the escape plan.
However, when they made it to the desired location, the nuns discovered that the former residence was without electricity or running water. Supporters of the cause, which went viral at the time, brought them supplies so they were able to remain away from their care home.
Over on Instagram, they gained huge amounts of followers. New fans quickly found that the nuns took to posting daily routines, praying, and boxing, which they did to keep their fitness levels up.
Footage on their page also shows clips of workers installing stairlifts in the monastery, which had reportedly been removed when they were taken to the care home against their will. The nuns have since been taking part in events like whistling classes and candle-making.
Three months after the initial defiant escape, it has been officially confirmed that the three women in arms are allowed to stay at Schloss Goldenstein, provided that they agree to certain conditions.
The main condition is the closure of their social media accounts. The nuns must return to the usual runnings of a secluded monastic life. The new conditions also include a ban on outside visitors to the convent and the settling of a legal dispute.
Originally, their religious superior, Provost Markus Grasl from Reichersberg Abbey, argued that the sisters had to be placed in a Catholic care home due to the danger of living in the old stone convent.
However, in a move that takes the nuns’ wishes into consideration, Grasl has offered up the compromise. Should they agree to it, church officials have allegedly confirmed that the nuns will be provided with adequate medical care and nursing help.
Additionally, they would be granted a priest, who would be at their disposal to serve regular mass. Since their escape plan, priests have faced heavy security when attempting to get into the convent’s chapel to say mass, against the will of church authorities.
The decision remains with the nuns, who are busy posting news articles on social media in the meantime, and have yet to comment on the new development.