In the dispute over the Austrian Goldenstein convent, Provost Markus Grasl (photo above) has accused the three nuns who returned there of violating their duty of obedience.
"The sisters are acting against the vows they have voluntarily taken and repeatedly reaffirmed," explained the clergyman responsible for the nuns in a statement published by the convent. Possible consequences will be discussed with the nuns in due course - "but certainly not via the media", said Grasl.
The provost also criticised the handling of the cloister, i.e. the enclosed private living area of a monastery that is reserved exclusively for members of the order.
Outsiders are only allowed to enter this area under certain conditions and only with the authorisation of the superior of the order.
This applies, for example, to doctors or candidates for religious orders.
He described it as "completely unacceptable" that supporters and the media accompanied the sisters when they moved back in and then into the cloistered area.
As the superior of the women, he himself "absolutely respected" the sisters' private living quarters.
Nuns go viral on Instagram
The occupation of the convent by the three nuns, who are over 80 years old, has been causing an international stir since the beginning of September.
They had left their retirement home and gained access to their former convent in Goldenstein near Salzburg with the help of a locksmith.
The Augustinian nuns had lived there for decades, but the community was dissolved at the beginning of 2024.
The monastery had already been transferred to the Archdiocese of Salzburg and Reichersberg Abbey in 2022; the sisters had been guaranteed the right to live there - but only "for as long as health-wise and spiritually justifiable".
After being hospitalised, they were moved to a Caritas home.
They cancelled their registration there at the beginning of the week.
The women are now being supported by former students, among others.
Their Instagram account "nonnen_goldenstein" documents everyday life in the monastery and reached over 30,000 followers within a few days.
While supporters celebrate the nuns' move as courageous, the church leadership considers the move to the home to be unavoidable.