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Defiant nuns flee care home for their abandoned convent in the Alps

134 replies

IwantToRetire · 13/09/2025 19:15

Three Austrian nuns in their 80s have run away from the retirement home where they were placed and gone back to their former convent.

Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, are the last three nuns at the Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, just outside Salzburg.

They regained access with the help of former students and a locksmith.

Church authorities are not happy - but the nuns are.

"I am so pleased to be home," Sister Rita said. "I was always homesick at the care home. I am so happy and thankful to be back."

The trio say they were taken out of the convent against their will in December 2023.

continues at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8r2gk0vyo

The Nun's Liberation Movement !!

Three nuns stand in front of the monastery in their habits, with Sister Rita on the left and Sister Regina in the centre both wearing glasses

Defiant nuns flee Austrian care home for their abandoned convent in the Alps

Sisters Bernadette, Regina and Rita needed a locksmith to get back into their convent, defying Church leaders.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8r2gk0vyo

OP posts:
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5
justasking111 · 13/09/2025 23:32

DuesToTheDirt · 13/09/2025 23:07

This reminds me of Green Glove Gang on Netflix, except that the three old female burglars (old is relative, they are not decrepti) move into a care home instead of out of it.

Just added that to my list. Thanks 👍

DuesToTheDirt · 13/09/2025 23:07

This reminds me of Green Glove Gang on Netflix, except that the three old female burglars (old is relative, they are not decrepti) move into a care home instead of out of it.

crumpet · 13/09/2025 23:06

I immediately thought of “when I am old I shall wear purple”!

Mischance · 13/09/2025 23:06

Sorry ... but my grandfather was brought up in a catholic children's home .... need I say more. Sour about sums up how I feel about this institution

murasaki · 13/09/2025 23:06

justasking111 · 13/09/2025 22:58

OH it's a movie, but how to cast the three nuns. Julie Andrews, would be a good start

Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins and Celia Imrie.

murasaki · 13/09/2025 23:05

I love this so much. Never underestimate a nun.

roseyposey · 13/09/2025 23:04

Mischance · 13/09/2025 22:48

Yup ... I hold my hand up to that. A convent round here has built itself a huge posh building with fabulous views in lovely grounds and the nuns do nothing for the community ... just live off the vast riches of the catholic church. Nice work if you can get it .....

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There have to be some rewards for a life of chastity 😝

This is a lovely light thread and you’re casting a sour note. Shame!

Ddakji · 13/09/2025 23:02

Sisters are doin’ it for themselves! 🎼🎶🎵

justasking111 · 13/09/2025 22:58

OH it's a movie, but how to cast the three nuns. Julie Andrews, would be a good start

Mischance · 13/09/2025 22:48

roseyposey · 13/09/2025 22:19

Brilliantly joyless

Show quote history

Yup ... I hold my hand up to that. A convent round here has built itself a huge posh building with fabulous views in lovely grounds and the nuns do nothing for the community ... just live off the vast riches of the catholic church. Nice work if you can get it .....

Taztoy · 13/09/2025 22:46

I’m agnostic but I saw this earlier and I’d actually like to donate to them or something. Good on them.

SaratogaFilly · 13/09/2025 22:46

mumonthehill · 13/09/2025 19:22

Best news story for ages!!!!

It really is!

TempestTost · 13/09/2025 22:38

IwantToRetire · 13/09/2025 20:42

It sounds like what is now known as "economic abuse" ie they were evicted from their home (the convent) and placed in a care home, which they didn't want. And their bank accounts frozen.

But luckily the underground army of former neighbours and students help them pull of their daring escape!

Edited
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While i think this is quite funny and don't begrudge them at all, it is part of the vows of any monastic that they follow the decisions set out for them by their leaders, and that would include about things like this. So I don't really think that's economic abuse - they were still being cared for, probably at significant expense. Monastics don't have their own money.

LaundryGarden · 13/09/2025 22:35

Igneococcus · 13/09/2025 22:30

You look very fetching in a wimple, boiled

Agreed!

I’m making a case for special consideration because I played the Reverend Mother in a school production of The Sound of Music. My ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ was a triumph even though my wimple slipped on a high note.

Igneococcus · 13/09/2025 22:34

Boiledbeetle · 13/09/2025 22:33

Did you leave it on a Bluestocking thread a while back?

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Yesss, thanks, that's where I left it.

Boiledbeetle · 13/09/2025 22:33

Igneococcus · 13/09/2025 22:32

I'm just looking for my picture of my Tante Hildegard with Benedict XVI, that will get me in their good books, then I'm joining you.

Did you leave it on a Bluestocking thread a while back?

Igneococcus · 13/09/2025 22:32

I'm just looking for my picture of my Tante Hildegard with Benedict XVI, that will get me in their good books, then I'm joining you.

Boiledbeetle · 13/09/2025 22:30

Igneococcus · 13/09/2025 22:30

You look very fetching in a wimple, boiled

<blushes>

Igneococcus · 13/09/2025 22:30

You look very fetching in a wimple, boiled

Boiledbeetle · 13/09/2025 22:26

Stuff it, I'm joining them.

I'll leave the ladder in place.

Defiant nuns flee care home for their abandoned convent in the Alps
roseyposey · 13/09/2025 22:19

Mischance · 13/09/2025 20:45

Well who is paying their electricity bill or their food bill? Anywhere else old women would be paying for their care and day to day expenses. I have no patience with nuns - they are just spongers.

Brilliantly joyless

Namelessnelly · 13/09/2025 21:53

IwantToRetire · 13/09/2025 19:15

Three Austrian nuns in their 80s have run away from the retirement home where they were placed and gone back to their former convent.

Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, are the last three nuns at the Kloster Goldenstein convent in Elsbethen, just outside Salzburg.

They regained access with the help of former students and a locksmith.

Church authorities are not happy - but the nuns are.

"I am so pleased to be home," Sister Rita said. "I was always homesick at the care home. I am so happy and thankful to be back."

The trio say they were taken out of the convent against their will in December 2023.

continues at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8r2gk0vyo

The Nun's Liberation Movement !!

These are the heroes we need!

ArabellaSaurus · 13/09/2025 21:33

Mischance · 13/09/2025 20:45

Well who is paying their electricity bill or their food bill? Anywhere else old women would be paying for their care and day to day expenses. I have no patience with nuns - they are just spongers.

😂

LaundryGarden · 13/09/2025 21:03

Mischance · 13/09/2025 20:45

Well who is paying their electricity bill or their food bill? Anywhere else old women would be paying for their care and day to day expenses. I have no patience with nuns - they are just spongers.

There’s always one.

unsync · 13/09/2025 21:03

As someone who was educated by nuns in my early years, underestimate them at your peril.