Texas nun-priest romance ends in Vatican rift
The Vatican has decided to remove a Carmelite monastery in Arlington, Texas, from the Catholic Church.
The reason for such a strict decision was accusations of indecent behavior against one of the nuns.
Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson has accused the Rev. Mother Teresa Gerlach, a wheelchair user, of violating her vow of chastity, according to a Chron article.
He also pointed to the existence of an affair and personal correspondence between the nun and priest Philip Johnson.
In April 2023, at the initiative of the bishop, an investigation was conducted into the Reverend Mother.
He said the nun's own admission of correspondence was sufficient to support charges.
Gerlach's lawyer emphasized that his client was under the influence of drugs during the interrogation and was unable to respond adequately.
The ensuing scandal is said to have led to a rupture in relations between the monastery and the Vatican.
The nuns said Olson had slandered Gerlach and was allegedly seeking to seize $3.8 million in convent land.
In April 2024, the nuns decided to donate the land to a non-profit organization to prevent it from being appropriated.
In response, the Vatican decided that the nuns at the Arlington monastery could no longer conduct religious services.
