After Escaping a Nursing Home, Austrian Nuns Reject Church Deal — Now the Vatican Will Decide

Elsbethen, Austria — Three elderly Augustinian nuns who drew global attention after leaving a Catholic nursing home and returning to their shuttered convent near Salzburg have rejected a church compromise that would have allowed them to stay there under strict conditions. The dispute has now been referred to the Vatican for a final decision, according to multiple reports.

Sisters Bernadette, 88, Regina, 86, and Rita, 82, were moved earlier this year from Kloster Goldenstein, their longtime convent, to a Catholic care home. The relocation, described by the women as against their wishes, followed church concerns about their care needs and the upkeep of the property. In September, the trio left the facility, used a locksmith to regain access to the empty convent, and have lived there since.

Their return quickly went viral, drawing widespread sympathy and a growing social media following on Instagram. The story also sparked debate over autonomy and elder care within religious communities, as the women are reportedly the last members of their Augustinian community at Goldenstein.

Offer came with conditions

On Nov. 28, the Archdiocese of Salzburg offered a compromise: the sisters could remain at Kloster Goldenstein for the time being if they agreed to resume a cloistered life and avoid public activity, including social media. The proposal sought to balance the nuns’ desire to stay in their home with church oversight of their safety and care, according to statements summarized by international outlets.

The nuns declined the offer within days. Their decision, reported this week, reflects a broader push for full autonomy over how and where they live, without additional restrictions. With talks at an impasse, the matter has been sent to Rome, where Vatican authorities will determine whether the sisters can continue living at the convent and under what terms.

Case heads to Rome

As of Dec. 2, the case’s referral to the Vatican marked a significant escalation, underscoring the church’s role in resolving disputes involving religious orders and property. No timeline for a decision has been made public.

The situation highlights the complexity of elder care within shrinking religious communities, where dwindling numbers and specialized health needs often lead to moves into residential facilities. In this case, public attention has centered on the sisters’ long-standing ties to Kloster Goldenstein and their desire to remain there despite concerns about care and safety.

Autonomy vs. institutional care

While the dispute is largely an internal church matter, it has resonated beyond Austria, drawing coverage from international media and sparking discussion about how religious institutions navigate consent and care for aging members. Observers note that the unfolding case could influence how similar situations are handled, particularly when elderly clergy or nuns resist placement in institutional settings.

For now, the sisters remain at the convent outside Salzburg, and their future there hinges on a decision from Rome.