Rebel Austrian nuns can stay at Alpine convent if they stop posting on social media
Rebel Austrian nuns can stay at Alpine convent if they stop posting on social media
Three octogenarian nuns who fled a care home near Salzburg may stay at their convent, but only if they give up social media.
Three Austrian nuns in their 80s who fled the care home where they were placed have been told they can stay in their former Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, near Salzburg, until further notice. The arrangement comes with a condition tied to their use of social media; church authorities say the sisters may remain only if they stop posting online.
Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, said in a statement they were willing to reach an agreement in principle, but their legitimate needs would have to be taken seriously. They described the proposal as having the 'character of a gagging contract' and indicated they were not entirely happy with the terms, even as they welcomed a potential solution.
The women were taken from a care home and placed in the convent after concerns about their well-being, a move that has drawn attention to the balance between care, autonomy, and modern communications. Church officials indicated the stay is temporary and contingent on the sisters adhering to the social media restriction, a condition the nuns say they will consider as part of ongoing discussions.
Local observers note this case highlights broader questions about how religious communities manage elder care while navigating contemporary technology and personal freedoms. For now, the sisters can remain at the historic site near Salzburg, but the agreement remains subject to further talks and possible revisions as both sides pursue a path that respects the nuns’ wishes and the church’s responsibilities.
Cover image source: Rebel Nuns Can Live in Old Abbey, if They Give Up Social Media 🔗
