The social benefits received for the three nuns from Goldenstein who occupied the convent will be repaid.
This was agreed on Tuesday during a meeting between the Reichersberg Provost Markus Grasl, who is responsible for the nuns, and the Salzburg State Councillor for Social Affairs Wolfgang Fürweger (FPÖ), as confirmed by the abbey's spokesperson Harald Schiffl to the Austrian news agency Kathpress.
The "Salzburger Nachrichten" (online) had previously reported on this. Grasl had also agreed to the use of funds from Goldenstein Abbey for the nuns' financial retirement provision.
At the end of October, it had become known that the social welfare department of the province of Salzburg was reclaiming around 64,000 euros which, in its legal opinion, had been wrongly received for two of the nuns.
The disputed money is said to have been paid out for accommodation in a nursing home.
However, the duty of care lies with the convent, the authorities explained.
This was evident from the transfer contract between the convent and the Augustinian canons, which was not known when the social welfare application was made. Grasl was therefore invited to a clarifying discussion.
No judicial clarification
Grasl had submitted the application for social benefits during the nuns' stay in the nursing home.
Schiffl reiterated that this had been "completely in accordance with the law".
The repayment of the 64,000 euros was agreed at the meeting on Tuesday.
There will therefore be no judicial clarification of the case.
Grasl also reaffirmed that he would take care of the three nuns' financial retirement provision.
Reichersberg Abbey does not use its own financial resources for this, but only those of Goldenstein Abbey, whose assets are earmarked for providing for the nuns in accordance with the order's regular internal procedures.
According to Schiffl, the specific plan is that the amount required for the three nuns will be determined according to their wishes and feedback.
However, there has not yet been any direct contact between the provost and the nuns or their circle of helpers.
As the superior appointed for the nuns, Grasl is responsible for managing the available financial resources of the Goldenstein convent.
The three elderly nuns have been occupying their former convent in Goldenstein since mid-September, making headlines around the world.
The "nonnen_goldenstein" now have almost 73,000 followers on Instagram. They gained access to the building at the beginning of September with the help of a locksmith.
Goldenstein Castle became the property of the Archdiocese of Salzburg and Reichersberg Abbey in 2022 - with the promise that the nuns could stay there as long as their health permitted.
However, after several hospital stays, they were transferred to a retirement home in December 2023.
However, the nuns emphasise that this was done against their will.