Fort Worth Diocese Dismisses Arlington Nuns Over Chastity Violation

In the United States, a group of nuns in Arlington, Texas, has been dismissed from Catholic religious life following a decision by the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese. The Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach was found guilty of violating her vow of chastity with a priest. Bishop Michael Olson emphasized that the Diocese does not claim the monastery's property and assets and urged Catholics to refrain from supporting the monastery financially. Furthermore, the nuns, who have faced internal disputes, re-elected Teresa Agnes for another term as their Prioress under the oversight of a traditionalist priest society at odds with current Vatican changes. The controversy escalated when the nuns opted to transfer ownership of their monastery to a new foundation amid ongoing disputes with church authorities. This decision illustrates their efforts to secure independent governance, which has led to a significant internal conflict regarding the monastery’s operation and its assets. Furthermore, a Tarrant County judge ruled that the matter was an internal church issue, negating civil court involvement. Mother Marie of the Incarnation, the legitimate superior of the monastery, highlighted a breach of faith concerning the authority hierarchy within the church structure involving the nuns. This situation reflects broader tensions within the Catholic Church, particularly among traditionalist factions. In summary, while the Arlington Carmelites have taken steps to assert ownership and governance of their monastery, their actions have led to a schism that calls into question their adherence to the Church codes, resulting in their dismissal from religious life.