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Vatican dissolves Texas monastery amid scandalous allegations of a nun’s online affair with a priest, sparking a $22 million property dispute.
At a Glance
- Vatican suppresses Carmelite Monastery in Arlington, Texas, declaring it “extinct”
- Controversy stems from prioress breaking vow of chastity through online affair
- Bishop Michael Olson accused of power abuse and attempted $22 million land grab
- Former nuns file lawsuit against Bishop Olson, claiming privacy violations
- Vatican’s decision leaves the monastery without recognized members
Vatican Declares Texas Monastery “Extinct” Amid Scandal
In a shocking turn of events, the Vatican has suppressed the Carmelite Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington, Texas, following a long-running controversy involving the prioress allegedly breaking her vow of chastity. Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth announced the suppression, citing a decree from the Holy See that declared the community “extinct” due to “notorious defection from the Catholic faith.”
The controversy began in April 2023 when Reverend Mother Teresa Gerlach reportedly self-reported an online affair with retired Father Philip Johnson. Gerlach confessed to engaging in sexual misconduct via video chat but maintained that nothing happened in person. This admission led to a cascade of events that has now culminated in the Vatican’s drastic decision.
The Vatican has closed the Carmelite Monastery in Arlington, Texas, after a controversy involving allegations against the prioress of breaking her vow of chastity.https://t.co/Ij3M9v2CC5
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) December 3, 2024
Accusations and Counter-Accusations
The situation quickly escalated into a bitter dispute between Bishop Olson and a group of nuns defending their sister. Olson accused Gerlach of breaking her chastity vows and violating the Sixth Commandment. In response, six nuns and two in training rallied behind Gerlach, filing a $1 million lawsuit against Olson, which was dismissed in June 2023.
Adding fuel to the fire, attorney Matthew Bobo, representing Gerlach and the nuns, accused Bishop Olson of abusing his power and attempting a land grab. Bobo claimed that Olson’s investigation was a thinly veiled attempt to take over the monastery’s 72-acre property, valued at a staggering $22 million. The diocese vehemently denied any interest in acquiring the Arlington land, but the accusation has cast a shadow over the entire proceedings.
The Vatican has suppressed a controversial Texas Carmelite monastery — but questions remain about the monastery’s property.https://t.co/2a0Rf6axGG
— The Pillar (@PillarCatholic) December 2, 2024
Fallout and Consequences
The Vatican’s decree has far-reaching consequences for the monastery and its former inhabitants. The community is now left with no members after the dismissal of five nuns and the expiration of vows of another member. Bishop Olson has emphasized that the women are no longer recognized as nuns or Carmelites and has warned Catholics against attending Mass at the former monastery.
In a further twist, the Vatican appointed the Association of Christ the King to oversee the monastery, but the women defied this order and associated with the Society of St. Pius X. This act of defiance led to Mother Marie of the Incarnation announcing the dismissal of the women from the Order of Discalced Carmelites, effectively severing their ties with the Catholic Church.
A Call for Prayer and Reconciliation
Despite the acrimony surrounding the case, there have been calls for prayer and reconciliation. Bishop Olson stated that the diocese’s response was guided by charity and patience, and he asked for prayers for the former nuns. The Vatican’s dicastery also expressed gratitude to Olson for his service and called for prayers for the former nuns to return to the Church.
As this controversy continues to unfold, it raises serious questions about the balance of power within the Catholic Church, the handling of misconduct allegations, and the future of religious properties. The suppression of the Arlington monastery serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing religious institutions in the modern world, where issues of morality, property, and governance can collide with devastating consequences.