Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas revealed that the priests have been serving as chaplains to the nuns without authorisation.

The priests, the bishop disclosed, are members of the Society of St John, a religious institute that was suppressed because of abuse complaints. One of the priests visiting the Carmelites has been suspended from ministry since 2012.

Both priests and the Society of St John were listed in a grand jury investigation into abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses.

Bitter dispute

The Carmelite community has been in a bitter public dispute with the bishop since April 2023.

The dispute began when Olson investigated allegations that the prioress, Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, violated her vows.

The situation escalated throughout 2023, with the nuns appealing to the Vatican and filing a lawsuit (since dismissed) against the bishop.

Despite the Carmelite nuns' protests, Bishop Olson has maintained the allegations against their superior.

The Arlington Carmelites have rejected a Vatican order directive putting their community under the jurisdiction of a national Carmelite Association. They said it is "in effect a hostile takeover that we cannot in conscience accept".

Bishop Olson says that until the sisters accept the appointment of Mother Marie of the Incarnation as rightful superior "I cannot grant permission or authority to any priest of the Diocese of Fort Worth or any other diocese or religious institute to celebrate the sacraments".

Initially, the Vatican appointed Bishop Olson as the papal representative overseeing the convent but later transferred management to the president of the Carmelite Association "Christ the King".

In June, the Vatican dismissed the nuns' complaints against Olson's measures, except for the dismissal of the prioress from the order.

The sisters continue to reject the instructions of the Vatican Dicastery for Religious and refuse to recognise the association president's leadership.

Sources

Katholisch

CathNews New Zealand

"We are not things to be traded or given away in backroom deals," the nuns wrote in a four-page response to the decree posted to their website Saturday afternoon.

The statement reaffirms their position that they do not recognise the authority of Bishop Michael Olson, with whom they have been in a dispute since April of last year.

It also says no one from the Association of Christ the King, the organisation the Vatican says now governs the monastery, is permitted on the grounds of the monastery in Arlington.

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The decision, handed down on Friday, June 30, ruled that the nuns' suit is "dismissed for want of subject-matter jurisdiction." Responding to the decision, Bishop Olson said in a statement that he is "grateful."

"The decision vindicates our steadfast belief that this is a private Church matter that does not belong in the courts," Bishop Olson. "This matter will continue to proceed through an established canonical process."

The bishop also asked, "the faithful for their continued prayers for the Diocese, Mother Teresa Agnes, and all of the nuns at the monastery."

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The latest salvo in this protracted legal and public relations battle came from the diocese itself on Wednesday.

The diocese released photographs purporting to show cannabis and marijuana products inside the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity.

Diocesan spokesman Pat Svacina stated in a press release that the diocese had "serious concerns" about the alleged use of marijuana and edibles at the monastery and had communicated with the Arlington Police Department.

However, the monastery's attorney, Matthew Bobo, vehemently denied the allegations of drug use. Bob describes them as "absolutely ridiculous" and "without merit."

The attorney stated that the accusations were part of a larger attempt to discredit the Carmelite nuns.

This dispute between the monastery and the diocese originated in April when Bishop Michael Olson (pictured in India) initiated a canonical investigation into an alleged sexual affair involving Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes of Jesus Crucified Gerlach, the monastery's prioress, and an unnamed priest from outside the diocese.

While the diocese labelled the alleged misconduct as "grave," the exact details of the affair have not been made public. On June 1, Bishop Olson issued a decree dismissing Gerlach from religious life.

In response, the monastery filed a civil lawsuit on May 3, seeking $1 million in damages. They challenged Olson's authority to conduct the investigation, arguing that they were answerable only to the Vatican.

Moreover, during their investigation, the nuns accused the diocesan officials of abuse of power and criminal behaviour.

Criminal investigation launched

Just hours before the diocese released the controversial photos, the monastery's attorney announced that the Arlington Police Department had initiated a criminal investigation into the actions of the diocese and Bishop Olson against the Carmelite Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity.

Tim Ciesco, a spokesman for the Arlington Police Department, confirmed that they had launched an investigation into Olson based on allegations raised in a letter received on May 31. Ciesco stated that detectives were still in the early stages of the investigation.

The diocese denies engaging in criminal activity during their investigation, labelling the accusations as an attempt to undermine the authority of Bishop Olson.

The diocese claimed that a confidential informant within the monastery supplied the controversial photos.

Diocesan spokesman Svacina asserted that the bishop is diligently working with law enforcement agencies to address the concerns raised by the photographs.

Amid this legal battle, Gerlach, who has been a nun at Holy Trinity Monastery for 25 years, is reportedly suffering from serious medical issues and is confined to a wheelchair.

The civil lawsuit filed by the monastery accuses Olson and the diocese of theft, defamation and abusing their power, resulting in moral violence and psychological distress for the nuns.

Both sides will present their arguments on June 23 at the civil hearing for this contentious case.

Meanwhile, Gerlach plans to appeal Bishop Olson's decision to dismiss her from religious life.

Sources

Fox 26 Houston

Catholic News Agency

CathNews New Zealand