Rebel nuns who busted out of Austrian care home win reprieve – if they stay off social media

by Kate Connolly in Berlin

Trio given leave to stay in their abandoned convent near Salzburg until further notice, church officials say

Sisters Bernadette, left, Regina, middle, and Rita gained a global following after moving back into Goldenstein Castle in September. Photograph: Helena Lea Manhartsberger/Panos/The Guardian

Three octogenarian nuns who gained a global following after breaking out of their care home and moving back to their abandoned convent near Salzburg have been given leave to stay in the nunnery “until further notice” – on condition they stay off social media, church officials have said.

The rebel sisters – Bernadette, 88, Regina, 86, and Rita, 82, all former teachers at the school adjacent to their convent – broke back into their old home of Goldenstein Castle in Elsbethen in September in defiance of their spiritual superiors.

The story prompted headlines around the world. It also fostered a huge affection for the trio, who have built up a loyal following on social media, where they post regular reports about their tumultuous experience and joy at their return.

They have been helped by local supporters and former pupils, who have provided them with food, clothing, medical care and security and installed a chairlift to enable the three to reach their third-floor cells.

The nuns’ religious superior, Provost Markus Grasl from Reichersberg Abbey, had argued that the sisters had to be placed in a Catholic care home as they were unable to safely live in the old stone convent. He repeatedly accused them of breaking their vows of obedience, a claim the nuns denied.

The three nuns have been helped by local supporters and former pupils since returning to Goldenstein Castle in Elsbethen. Photograph: Helena Lea Manhartsberger/Panos/The Guardian

On Friday, however, church officials said the women could stay at Goldenstein “until further notice” after a proposal put forward by Grasl aimed at resolving the dispute. The nuns are yet to agree to the deal.

Church officials have reportedly said the nuns will be provided with adequate medical care and nursing help, and a priest would be at their disposal to serve regular mass. Over the past months, priests have had to be more or less smuggled into the convent’s chapel to say mass, against the will of church authorities.

Sister Bernadette leads prayers attended by supporters and former pupils in the chapel at Goldenstein. Photograph: Helena Lea Manhartsberger/Panos/The Guardian

Among the conditions for them to remain include the cessation of all social media activity, a ban on outside visitors to the convent and the settling of a legal dispute. Should the health conditions of the women deteriorate, they would be registered at the Elsbethen nursing home and placed on the waiting list there.

“Now it’s up to the sisters,” Harald Schiffl, a spokesperson for Grasl, told the Austrian news agency APA.

In a statement late on Friday, the three nuns, referring to themselves in the third person, denied that either they or their allies had been consulted over the proposal, dismissing it as vague, one-sided and “failing to contain any legally binding commitments”.

“In particular the promise as reported in the media, that the sisters would be allowed to remain in the convent, lacks any legal force... due to the inclusion of the clause: ‘until further notice’ and is therefore legally worthless,” the statement, issued by their supporters, said.

They added that they resented the fact that the conditions according to which they could stay had “the character of a restrictive contract” equivalent to a restraining order, which would ban them from seeking outside legal help, or using social media.

There was “no legal basis whatsoever” for the conditions, which would have the effect of “depriving them of their only remaining protection from the interested public,” they stated.

For an agreement to be reached with the Archdiocese of Salzburg, they added, the church officials would have to “finally engage in dialogue with those affected, take their legitimate claims and needs seriously and declare their willingness to agree to a solution that is both just and legally compliant.” 

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Rebel nuns who busted out of Austrian care home win reprieve – if they stay off social media 

Spokane County guardianship monitoring program celebrates 25 years of protecting vulnerable residents

by Alexandra Coenjaerts

SPOKANE, Wash. — A program dedicated to protecting some of Spokane County's most vulnerable residents celebrated a significant milestone this week, marking 25 years of safeguarding people who need a guardian or conservator.

The Guardianship Monitoring Program, operated by Spokane County Superior Court, ensures that vulnerable community members don't slip through the cracks of the legal system. The initiative combines volunteers and court staff to support judges by monitoring cases involving individuals under legal guardianships.

In Spokane County alone, more than 2,200 people fall under legal guardianship or conservatorship. These individuals often include elderly relatives with dementia or those facing mental health challenges that come with aging.

"It could be an elderly relative who has dementia, or they're mental issues that come with old age," said Judge Rachelle Anderson of Spokane County Superior Court.

The program originated from a gap court officials identified in the oversight system for vulnerable individuals. Former Superior Court Judge Kathleen O'Connor helped establish the program and worked on it from inception through her retirement.

"It was it was a special interest to me. I mean, I had a lot of other things I was doing, but it was a special interest in mine," O'Connor said. She explained that the program emerged after the court noticed insufficient oversight for these individuals. While the state didn't provide initial funding, the Spokane County Commissioners stepped in to support the initiative.

The monitoring program serves as a crucial safeguard to prevent anyone from taking advantage of vulnerable individuals under court protection.

"The goal is to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens who are in need of assistance are protected to the greatest extent of the law," Anderson said.

Over the past quarter-century, the program has evolved beyond its original monitoring scope. What began as a oversight system now provides training and resources for family members and friends who have relatives in need of guardianship.

"We can also help nonprofessional guardians, relatives, friends, with training, with a resource they know. If they have a question, they can talk to our guardianship monitoring program," O'Connor explained.

Professional guardians also benefit from the program's organizational structure. Kelly Moore, a professional guardian, praised the program's ability to track cases and ensure compliance.

"They help organize who is where, who is turning in their things on time. So cases that have not been followed for years don't slip by," Moore said.

Despite its success, the Guardianship Monitoring Program faces staffing challenges. The program currently operates with just five volunteers, and court officials say more help is needed to adequately oversee cases.

You can find more information on the program and how to get involved here. 

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Spokane County guardianship monitoring program celebrates 25 years of protecting vulnerable residents