Three Austrian nuns in their 80s, who fled from an old people's home, have received permission to continue residing in their convent in Elsbethen, near Salzburg, but only if they abandon their social media presence.
The nuns, Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, are the last members of the Kloster Goldenstein convent, and their story has garnered significant media attention, turning them into social media icons.
In a statement, the sisters expressed willingness to negotiate but stressed that the terms proposed by church officials felt like a 'gagging contract'. They had been relocated to a care home against their wishes in December 2023 but managed to return to their convent with the help of former students.
Provost Markus Grasl from Reichersberg Abbey requested their return to the care home, calling their choice to return 'completely incomprehensible', yet, a recent proposal allows them to stay at Kloster Goldenstein provided they cease all digital activities.
If they agree to this condition, they will receive medical care and spiritual support, but without social media, their visibility and connection with supporters is limited. The nuns boasted nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram and several thousand on other platforms, receiving assistance from supporters that included food deliveries and community engagement.
The convent where the nuns have spent a significant part of their lives has been a place of learning and faith since 1877, serving as both a convent and a girls' school. However, the nuns' community has dwindled and was officially dissolved in early 2024, leaving them to navigate the complexities of their remaining years while adhering to the expectations of church authority.
Sister Bernadette once stated, Before I die in that old people's home, I would rather go to a meadow and enter eternity that way, highlighting the sisters' determination to maintain their independence in the face of institutional pressures.
