Aconflict is escalating at the Belorado monastery in the province of Burgos - a story that has dominated Spanish headlines for months.
A group of former Poor Clares, excommunicated for their split with the Vatican, received a final court order from Briviesca to vacate the premises by February 10.
The women, once part of the Catholic community, now have no legal or ecclesiastical avenues left to resist.
The court decision, issued after a series of failed eviction attempts, now leaves the nuns with no right to appeal.
If they refuse to leave voluntarily, the Civil Guard will intervene to enforce the order.
Authorities emphasize that this is not just a religious dispute, but also a matter of property rights, as the former Poor Clares formally lost their right to reside in the monastery after breaking from the Church.
Conflict escalates
Tensions at the monastery rose after the Arzobispado de Burgos announced two court rulings requiring the premises to be vacated within a month.
Recently, Civil Guard officers entered the monastery and another property of the order to investigate a possible illegal sale of church art.
Two nuns were detained, but soon released on bail.
The judge from Briviesca handling the case emphasized that the premises must be vacated within a month, and no circumstances can delay the execution of the ruling.
If the monastery is not vacated by 9:30 a.m. on February 10, authorities will have the right to use force to evict the occupants.
Authorities intervene
The intervention by the Guardia Civil was not limited to investigating possible misappropriation of church property.
Recently, officers removed five elderly women with chronic illnesses from the monastery to ensure their safety and provide medical care. This was another alarming sign for the nuns who chose to remain.
Meanwhile, some former Poor Clares have already relocated to another monastery in Bizkaia, where the oldest among them have been moved.
However, the majority still remain in Belorado, despite mounting pressure from both church and state.
Accusations and fears
The nuns themselves claim they have become victims of persecution. They report incidents such as their dogs being poisoned, and say they feel isolated and vulnerable.
According to them, church authorities intend to remove anyone from the monastery who refuses to comply with the Vatican’s official stance.
A court order requires that the monastery be handed over to those sisters who have remained loyal to the Order of Saint Clare (Santa Clara) and obey the Archdiocese.
For the former Poor Clares, this means losing not only their home but also a final break with their previous lives.
Aftermath of the ruling
What is happening in Belorado is more than just a local conflict.
It’s a story of tradition clashing with new perspectives, the power of the Church versus individual rights, and just how far each side is willing to go to defend its beliefs.
Spanish society is following the developments with keen interest and some anxiety.
The fate of the former nuns remains uncertain.
Their eviction could set a precedent for similar cases across the country.
For now, Belorado is gripped by tense anticipation: what will happen on the morning of February 10, when the ultimatum expires?