Fort Worth bishop dismisses Carmelite nun accused of breaking chastity vow with priest
A nun accused of breaking her vow of chastity with a priest from outside the Diocese of Fort Worth was dismissed Thursday from the Order of Discalced Carmelites.
Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach has 30 days to appeal the decision, according to a decree of dismissal from the diocese. She oversaw cloistered nuns at the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington.
[Read the latest: Priest on Sunday brings security to Mass at monastery amid fight with nuns]
The diocese declined to comment or provide details about the priest. Gerlach’s attorney Matthew Bobo has said the accusations are not true.
Gerlach and another nun, Sister Francis Therese, have filed a $1 million lawsuit in Tarrant County against Bishop Michael Olson and the diocese. They accuse the bishop of abuse of power and overstepping his authority after he began the investigation.
In a statement Thursday evening Bobo called Olson’s action “absolutely unjust and unconscionable in the light of moral, canonical and natural law.”
He said Gerlach would appeal the decision and that the lawsuit would continue.
“During this month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we ask for all the lay faithful to pray for reparation to our Lord’s pierced heart for the Reverend Mother Teresa of Jesus Crucified,” he said. “Her sufferings as a true scapegoat will be lifted up by Our crucified and risen Lord.!”
Bobo said that the Reverend Mother will remain at the monastery for the next 30 days while the Bishop’s decision is under appeal.
Gerlach, 43, joined the monastery after she graduated from Ursuline Academy in Dallas.
The nuns have lived on 72 wooded acres near South Bowen Road and West Sublett Road since 1958. The Sisters of Carmel are withdrawn from the world and spend much of their day in silent prayer. The order has existed since 1562. Gerlach has been a member of the monastery for 25 years.
The diocese said it began an investigation after receiving a report in April that Gerlach violated her vow of chastity with a priest. Olson stopped daily Masses, except for Sundays, during the investigation.
On Thursday, the diocese said daily Mass would resume beginning June 7. The bishop is also arranging regular confessions for the nuns. Because of the lawsuit, the diocese said the Masses would be closed to the lay faithful.
Olson arrived at the monastery on April 24 and “demanded” that the reverend mother turn over her laptop, iPad and cell phone, and told Gerlach and Sister Francis Therese that they could not handle the administrative duties of the monastery, according to the lawsuit. The bishop violated the reverend mother’s civil and canonical rights by telling her where she could sit and eat, according to the lawsuit. She was not allowed in her private bedroom although she requires constant medical care. She has a feeding tube and uses her iPad to communicate.
On Wednesday, the Vatican issued a decree giving Olson governing authority over the monastery.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
