The Complex Dispute Over a Texas Monastery’s Fate
Amidst allegations of adultery, power abuse, and control over valuable land, a contentious battle is unfolding involving a Fort Worth bishop and a group of former nuns. The intricacies of this case have brought to light numerous claims and counterclaims, with high stakes for all parties involved.
The dispute centers around the former Prioress Gerlach of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and Bishop Michael Olson of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. While Gerlach and the nuns maintain the allegations against her are false, Olson affirms that an admission of guilt was recorded and made part of the public record during a civil court hearing related to a lawsuit filed by Gerlach against him and the Diocese.
Bishop Olson stated, “The women who continue to occupy the premises in Arlington are no longer nuns because they have been declared ipso facto dismissed from the Order of Discalced Carmelites for reasons of their notorious defection from the Catholic faith. They are neither nuns nor Carmelites despite their continued and public self-identification to the contrary.” He further noted that the Holy See had suppressed the monastery, rendering it non-existent.
The conflict has been further complicated by accusations involving marijuana use, power abuse, and conspiracy over the lucrative land the monastery occupies. These issues surfaced in 2023 when initial court documents were filed, outlining the intense nature of the feud.
In June, local authorities initiated a criminal investigation into Olson and the diocese, prompted by allegations against the Carmelites concerning marijuana and other matters. The diocese expressed the intention to address these issues at a later time in a suitable forum.
Gerlach’s civil attorney, Matthew Bobo, alleges that Olson’s actions are motivated by a desire to seize control of the monastery’s assets and donor list, which are stored electronically. Bobo has emphasized that the land, situated on 72 acres in Dallas and Fort Worth, holds significant value for potential development.
Bobo stated to the Daily Mail, “That is a list that the bishop has been trying to get his hands on since he became bishop.” He also claimed, “He (Olson) could arguably have the monastery shut down, and then that piece of property, which is worth about $22 million, could become part of the diocese.”
Olson, however, denied any such intentions regarding the property. He reiterated, “The Diocese of Fort Worth has never made any claims to the property of the former Monastery, nor do we do so now.” He also stressed that any religious ceremonies held at the former monastery were illicit if performed by priests without proper authorization.
Bobo has firmly rejected allegations that Gerlach violated her vow of chastity or broke the Sixth Commandment, noting her limited interactions with men in recent decades. He told The Dallas Morning News, “She did not have sex with a priest.”
Despite these contentions, Olson declared Gerlach guilty of breaking her vow of chastity on June 1, 2023, invoking his authority to excommunicate her from the order. Meanwhile, the nuns have remained steadfast, declaring on their website, “The Vows we have professed to God cannot be dismissed or taken away. By virtue of them we belong to Him and are His.” They assert their loyalty to their faith, stating, “We firmly believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.”
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
