Austrian Nuns Defy Odds, Escape Care Home to Reclaim Abandoned Alpine Convent

Defiant Nuns Flee Care Home for Abandoned Convent in the Alps In a daring move, three Austrian nuns in their 80s have escaped from a retirement home where they were placed against their will and returned to their former convent in the Alps. Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, regained access to Schloss Goldenstein with the help of former students and a locksmith. "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 had been sent to the care home in December 2023, but they claim they were not asked to leave their convent. "We weren't asked," Sister Bernadette said. "We had the right to stay here until the end of our lives and that was broken." The three nuns have spent much of their lives at Schloss Goldenstein, a castle which has been a convent and a place of education for over 150 years. The convent was abandoned in 2023, but the school remained functional. When the nuns returned to the convent, they found it had no water or power, but the school was still operational. Despite these challenges, the sisters are determined to stay at their beloved home. Background and Context The decision to send the nuns to a care home was made by church authorities, who cited concerns about the safety and well-being of the elderly sisters. However, the nuns claim they were not consulted or involved in the decision-making process. This incident raises questions about the rights and autonomy of older adults, particularly those living in institutional settings. It also highlights the complexities of aging and care in society. Additional Perspectives Experts say that this case is not an isolated incident and that there are many other elderly individuals who are being forced to leave their homes against their will. "This case highlights the need for greater transparency and communication between caregivers, family members, and residents," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a gerontologist at the University of Salzburg. "It's essential to involve older adults in decision-making processes that affect their lives." Current Status and Next Developments The church authorities have expressed disappointment with the nuns' decision to return to the convent, but they are not taking any action to remove them. "We respect the sisters' decision, but we cannot provide support for an abandoned building," said a spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Austria. "We will continue to work with the nuns to find a solution that meets their needs." The nuns have vowed to stay at the convent and are working to restore it to its former glory. "We will not be silenced or forced out of our home," Sister Bernadette said. "We will fight for our right to live here until the end of our lives." *Reporting by Bbc.*