After a recent decision by a Catholic leader to dismiss seven nuns from their order in south Arlington, a foundation supporting the sisters is considering legal action. The Vatican had appointed Mother Marie of the Incarnation as the lawful superior of the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington, but the nuns decided to keep Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach as their leader.
Gerlach has been at the center of various disputes with Fort Worth Catholic Bishop Michael Olson, who accused her of violating her chastity vow with a priest. The nuns reelected Gerlach as their leader and aligned themselves with the Society of Saint Pius X, which Olson and Marie deemed invalid. Marie claimed that the nuns had broken faith with the Catholic Church by rejecting her authority.
In response, Marie dismissed the nuns from the order, citing their affiliation with the Society of Saint Pius X as unlawful and their transfer of monastery ownership as illicit. The foundation supporting the nuns, Friends of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington Inc., is investigating potential legal action against Marie for her statements.
The Arlington monastery is to return to a “lay state,” according to Marie. While Olson warned of potential excommunication for the nuns, Professor Matthew Wilson explained that a decree of dismissal requires confirmation by The Holy See to take effect. The ongoing tension between the nuns and Olson revolves around the monastery property, valued at $3.8 million, with accusations of Olson trying to gain control, which he denies.
Although the nuns have not been formally excommunicated, Olson could do so in the future, rendering them ineligible to receive sacraments. Wilson noted that the nuns could repent and seek reinstatement, but until then, the situation remains unchanged.
As the legal implications of this dispute unfold, the future of the Arlington Discalced Carmelite Nuns and their relationship with the Catholic Church remain uncertain. The foundation supporting the nuns continues to explore avenues for potential legal action, while the nuns’ status within the church hangs in the balance. The ongoing conflict highlights the complexities of religious governance and the intersection of legal and spiritual matters within the Catholic Church.
