In a statement, Bishop Olson said he was grateful for the judges ruling. Gerlach says he is Father Bernard Marie from a community in Montana, the Transalpine Redemptorists. Education - High School (business training and experience are helpful). It was all over the phone, she confessed. Confirmation Retreat. According to Gerlachs attorney, she immediately appealed the bishops decision to remove her from religious life. On June 1, the diocese dismissed the nun from the monastery . Carmelite Gift Shop The Book Latin Massgoers Have Been Waiting For, The Tide Will Turn When the Witnesses to Abortion Speak Out, Cardinal Mller Confirms Vatican Doctrinal Office Had File Warning About Archbishop Fernndez, Synod on Synodality: Vatican Publishes Full List of Participants, Sound of Freedom Offers Opportunity to Highlight a Catholic Approach to Helping Victims of Sex Trafficking Heal From Trauma, Heres Whos Going to the Synod from the U.S. and Canada. Wallis testified Gerlach told him she believed she was falling in love and said she knew it was a sin, but she liked it and believed she had ruined her vocation and needed to leave the monastery. I have a difficult question to bring to you, Olson said. Olson said he released the information about the reported drug use after a press release from Bobo contained what he said were false allegations about the bishop. Judge dismisses Texas monastery's lawsuit against Fort Worth bishop Testimony Tuesday from Father Jonathan Wallis, a vicar general with the Fort Worth Diocese, revealed Gerlach had first disclosed her broken vow to him on Dec. 22, when he reached out to arrange Christmas Eve Mass for the nuns at the monastery in Arlington. EWTN News, Inc. is the worlds largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. CBS News . print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the Gerlach spoke in a barely audible voice. There had been more than 12,000 views in the two weeks the site has been up, the developer told CBS News Texas. The hearing was held to determine whether a secular court has jurisdiction to allow the lawsuit to go forward. She initially declined, but later volunteered the name. Sarah Bahari, Staff writer. [Carmelite] [Carmel] [Hermits] [Monks] That same day, police announced they had closed their investigation without . Our work is a prayer offered lovingly to God. We have a hard time with the truth., Bishop, the truth is that he was not down here., Well, well have time for that in the investigation., I promise you, Bishop. In response, Matthew Bobo, attorney for the Carmelite nuns of the Most Holy Trinity Monastery in Arlington, Texas, said his client would appeal the decision. At all. Hermits of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mt. Carmel Hermitage Monastery The reverend mother and the monastery filed a civil lawsuit on May 3 against the bishop and the diocese, accusing them of confiscating the reverend mothers computer, cellphone, and laptop and subjecting nuns to lengthy questioning. Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? When he realized she still had not done so by April, he reported her to Olson. Attorneys for bishop, nun accused of breaking chastity vow battle in court CNA reporter Peter Pinedo contributed to this story. Box 337 Christoval, Texas 76935-0337 . The diocese, meanwhile, told the Star-Telegram it has alerted police of serious concerns of marijuana and edibles inside the Arlington monastery of Carmelite nuns. More than 50 years ago, Joseph Ratzinger said that the life of the Church would be the outcome of her death, just as Easter Sunday was the outcome of Good Friday. Mt. Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson defends handling of Arlington nun investigation. I understand. Jason went on to work as a reporter/anchor at KTWO-TV in Casper, Wyoming, and later as a reporter at WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach of violating her vow of chastity with a priest. After the recording was played in court, Bobo asked, As we sit here today, can you tell the court how the reverend mother violated her vow? Meanwhile, a prominent Fort Worth socialite, whose family donated the land the monastery land to the nuns, claims the church is really after the property, This is nothing but a ploy to get rid of Mother Teresa and close the monastery, Sheila Johnson told the Fort Worth Business Press. Led by Olson, the diocese accused the Rev. The friars purchased 2560 acres in 1883 from the Texas and Pacific Railroad for twenty-five cents an acre under the auspices of the Settler Act of 1883 recently enacted by the state legislature in Austin. They in turn sold about half this acreage to pay the building costs of the new Carmelite establishment (monastery, farm, wells, etc. An attraction to a life of prayer and Gospel living in community. Gerlach spoke quickly, trying to explain the priest had never come to the monastery. In response to the monasterys claim of ecclesiastical autonomy, the diocese announced Wednesday that Olson had been appointed pontifical commissary over the monastery by the Vaticans Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Yes, it was., Olson then began to read the decree, but Gerlach said: Bishop, I need to tell you something. In his decree, Olson announced he had found Gerlach, prioress of the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington, guilty of having violated the sixth commandment of the Decalogue and her vow of chastity with a priest from outside the Diocese of Fort Worth.. June 8, 2023 / 6:37 PM Mantle] [Vocations] [Monastery] [Daily Adoration] [Blessed Sacrament] [Holy At the time, I was having seizures, and I was really in a very difficult position. https://www.ncregister.com/cna/breaking-judge-dismisses-texas-monastery-s-lawsuit-against-fort-worth-bishop, dioceses allegations concerning the use of marijuana and edibles at the monastery, publicly identified as Father Philip Johnson, Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Former Prioress in Forth Worth Admits to Sexual Misconduct in Recording, Names Priest, Texas Carmelites Case Reflects the Vaticans New Culture of Ecclesial Punishments, Carmelite Nuns File New Theft and Defamation Charges Against Fort Worth Bishop Olson, Fort Worth Nun Forced to Use Bishop-Appointed Canon Lawyer Amid Dispute With Diocese, Historic Prayer Book of Priest Who Hid King Charles II Goes on Display, Synod on Synodality: Read the Full List of Delegates, From Prison to World Youth Day: Man Builds 50 Confessionals to Be Used for Pilgrims. He also asked Wallis why he waited until April to report the grave misconduct.. Amid the sound of church bells from the monastery, Olson asked Gerlach about the reports that she broke her chastity vows. 1 Kings 18:15. The monastery argued that Olson had no authority over it as it is an autonomous religious entity subject only to the Vatican. They told you they saw reverend mother use drugs? Bobo asked. Mt. Carmel Hermitage Carmelite Monastery prayer requests Gerlach shared this information with Wallis when he visited the monastery to celebrate Mass, he said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Gerlach was no longer the prioress, he said. Mt. Carmel Hermitage Carmelite Monastery History Mount Carmel Saints Texas Carmelites Case Reflects the Vatican's New Culture of Ecclesial Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington, Texas The Fort Worth bishop says the nun admitted to the transgression of breaking her chastity vow with a priest during interviews with the vicar general of the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese and another sister from her order over several days in April. This decision indicates that anyone who goes into a Catholic church in Texas can be required to turn over his mobile device, the church can make a copy of all of its contents, keep them for an indefinite period of time, trounce private citizens constitutionally-protected civil liberties, and that the Catholic Church may do all of this without any practical justification whatsoever, he said. He contacted our community for prayers, Gerlach said. In a recording played in a court hearing Tuesday, former prioress Theresa Gerlach admitted to breaking the Sixth Commandment. Bobo argued that the diocese violated Texas law concerning property rights and said the diocese did not have the right to take private property. Johnson is not currently exercising public ministry,the Diocese of Raleigh said Wednesday. He eventually told Olson on April 13, and Olson testified he went to the monastery after consulting with Rome, which told him an investigation would be needed, and recommending a canon lawyer to manage the case. / CBS Texas. Mayor Johnson files protest to lower estimated $33K property tax bill; hearing next week, Where to eat in Plano? A statement said the pictures were taken inside the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, provided by a confidential informant, and raises serious questions the bishop was working tirelessly to address. Carmelite nun shares public message from inside Arlington monastery Bishop Michael Olson. FORT WORTH, Texas Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, Texas, issued a decree June 1, dismissing Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach from religious life following a nearly six-week-long. Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church. In the recorded conversation with Gerlach, Olson was calm, almost soft spoken. In a separate statement, the diocese also announced that daily Mass and regular confession at the monastery would soon be reinstated following the investigations conclusion. Contact Engaged Encounter. A Texas judge has dismissed a Carmelite monastery's civil lawsuit against Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson. [Carmelite Monks] [Vocation Retreat] [Desert] [Mount Carmel] [St. Teresa] [Hermitage] [White SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. Carmel Hermitage Monastery - Catholic Carmelite hermits, monasteries, orders, vocations, contemplative, monastic life, prayer, Now through Tuesday, May 2nd, donations to us made through San Angelo Gives will be augmented through the San Angelo Area Foundation. Attorneys for bishop, nun accused of breaking chastity vow battle in court, (Fort Worth Star-Telegram / 2014 File Photo). Mother Teresa Agnes. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or Medling argued that the case must be dismissed because it involves church investigations of ecclesiastical matters. Eucharist] [Fudge] [Jellies] [Incense] [Lenten Bread] On June 1 the bishop issued a decree dismissing Gerlach from religious life, giving her 30 days to appeal the decision. Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, Texas, issued a decree Thursday dismissing Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach from religious life following . A Tarrant County judge on Friday dismissed the lawsuit filed by a group of Carmelite nuns against Fort Worth Bishop Michael F. Olson after accusing the bishop of illegally accessing electronic . ARLINGTON, Texas The ongoing feud between Fort Worth Diocese Bishop Michael Olson and a group of Carmelite nuns has people taking sides. [Gregorian Chant] [Religious Habit]. In January, Wallis said, Gerlach told him she was nervous because her period was late, which he said he inferred to mean she thought she might be pregnant. He told Gerlach of his canonical investigation and said she would have to move to the guest quarters of the monastery, and that he was putting her on administrative leave. He said she would have to turn over her cell phone and computer as part of the investigation. Jason, a Southern California native, came to North Texas after working as a reporter for four years in Orlando. the Lord of hosts lives, whom I serve" Olson said a maintenance worker at the monastery gave him the photographs. This decision indicates that anyone who goes into a Catholic church in Texas can be required to turn over his mobile device, the church can make a copy of all of its contents, keep them for an indefinite period of time, trounce private citizens constitutionally protected civil liberties, and that the Catholic Church may do all of this without any practical justification whatsoever, he said. The Discalced Carmelite Nuns live on the secluded 72-acre Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in South Arlington. Marie, who is also known as Father Philip Johnson, was granted leave from the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina and later joined the Transalpine Redemptorist Monastery in Montana in 2022, church leaders told the Star-Telegram. The dispute between the monastery and the diocese began in April when Olson launched a canonical investigation into an alleged sexual affair between the monasterys prioress, Reverend Mother Teresa Gerlach, and a priest. . He received his bachelor's degree in communication arts from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, and then began his career as a producer/reporter at Primary Focus. Texas bishop-nun feud: Family connected to monastery takes side - wfaa.com Bread] [Lent] [Fasting] [Hermits Bread] [Hermits Lent] [Contemplative] The Real History The adobe and brick monastery was built in 1884 by a group of Carmelite Monks. She previously worked as a writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where she covered a bit of everything. And he and I were writing often to each other. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 8 people injured in shooting at El Paso party, Neighbors raise $37K for bullied boy who knocked on their door saying, I need some friends, like, really bad, Texas begins installing buoy barrier along Rio Grande to deter migrant border crossings, Rudy Farias mom Janie Santana is an internet catfish who once posed as country singer: sources. At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. Father John Huddlestons personal missal, which is almost 400 years old, is now on display at Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton, which is situated in the West Midlands region of the country. I promise you, Bishop. Address: 5801 Mt. ARLINGTON (CBSNewsTexas.com) A nun inside the Arlington monastery at the center of a growing dispute with a Catholic bishop told supporters in a letter Thursday that behind the locked gates, the group is at peace. Elizabeths life is a gentle rebuke to our fractious age of outrage. I hope everyone respects that.. Are we ready? He also argued that the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity is a nonprofit corporation and the diocese doesnt oversee its governance. In addition, the civil lawsuit will accelerate and continue full speed ahead, Bobo noted. Jason, a Southern California native, came to North Texas after working as a reporter for four years in Orlando. Renew or manage your subscription here. Olson says he never used the data from those devices to aid his investigation. The Auxiliary has not responded directly yet to Olson's request. The congregation started work on the monastery in 2020, dubbing it the Montana Rosa Mystica and asking people to send donations for its construction to Most Holy Rosary House in Jordan, Montana, according to the website. A disabled Texas nun was booted from her monastery for breaking her vow of chastity, but while she admits sexting with a priest, she maintains they were never physically intimate. Carmelite Monastery | Texas Time Travel Wallis said Gerlach countered that she was falling in love with the priest, and what happened was consensual. Eucharist] [Fudge] [Jellies] [Incense] [Lenten Bread] Has balance been restored? Updated on: June 27, 2023 / 10:50 PM The case is now considered closed, the police department said in a statement the diocese shared with CNA. Even a nun can fall.. Carmel in Palestine that had formed themselves into a group under the leadership of a man named Brocard. Other Websites: Horarium; Vocation Updates; Coffee; . Shannon Mullen is the Editor-in-Chief of CNA. A spirit of generosity. He said he was also following canonical procedures. The Wyoming Carmelites strive to live the ancient eremitical charism of Carmel. Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 1, 2023 / 10:45 am. ARLINGTON, Texas On Sunday evening in an online video statement, Bishop Michael F. Olson addressed the Catholic faithful in regards to the events at the Carmelite Monastery in Arlington. The status of a separate police investigation into the dioceses allegations concerning the use of marijuana and edibles at the monastery wasnt immediately clear Saturday. Bishop Olson rejected four canonical representatives of Mother Superiors choosing and then forced his own canonical lawyer (lackey) on her with whom she has never spoken, Bobo said. "They're emotionally traumatized. "I was not in my right mind when it happened, at all.". Discalced Carmelite Nuns 5801 Mt. The priest has since beenpublicly identified as Father Philip Johnson of the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. Gerlach said at the time she was having seizures and thought her brain "got really messed up." A Carmelite nun told the vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth that she believed she was falling in love with a priest and would need to leave the order and devote her life to prayer, according to testimony during a court hearing Tuesday. "I took it as a potential pregnancy," Wallis said. "That's something you have changed," Olson said. and I think my brain just got really messed up, she said. [Prayer] [Solitude] [Mary] [Religious] [Holy Habit] [Scapular] [Salve Regina] Finding the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity Discalced Carmelite Nuns: Arlington is located about half-way between Fort Worth and Dallas. Hermitage/Monastery | Diocese of San Angelo | San Angelo, Texas Natural Family Planning. In turn, the diocese argues that the dispute is an ecclesiastical matter and should not be heard in a civil court. Welcome to the Carmelite Nuns Gift Shop! Without comment, Tarrant County District Court Judge Don Cosby, sitting in Fort Worth, issued a ruling June 30 granting the Fort Worth Dioceses motion to dismiss the monasterys complaint, which accused Bishop Olson of theft, defamation, and abuse of power. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time. He appointed Sister Joseph Marie to oversee the monastery. While Garlach and Therese cooperated that day, a call to a canon lawyer afterward that raised questions about what was happening prompted them to look for outside legal help. Both attorneys sparred over whether Olson's actions in removing Gerlach from her position, and taking over operations, amounted to him removing a board member from an independent non-profit corporation. This is a difficult, emotional matter. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. She has appealed her dismissal. He also insisted that she turn over those devices to a diocese employee. Tourist dies after going down water slide at 5-star hotel, Amusement park guests watch in horror as boy, 5, 'flies out' of water slide, Northwestern players reveal alleged hazing included 'barbaric' and 'inhumane' sexual acts: report, Fans slam Teddi Mellencamp for refusing to speak about BFF Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umanskys split: Hyprocite, Drake defends his pink nail polish: The world is being homophobic, Usher seductively serenades Saweetie after Keke Palmer fiasco, Megan Rapinoe will retire from women's soccer at the end of the 2023 season, Purge 6 Director Reveals Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene Inspired The Films Broken America, Jonah Hill's ex Sarah Brady blasts him over alleged 'emotional abuse'. First published on June 27, 2023 / 1:36 PM. Bishop Michael Olson and the diocese for $1 million, a day after the Vatican gave him the authority, Fort Worth bishops behavior is deplorable, says donor with close ties to Carmelite nuns, Fort Worth bishop says nun described breaking her chastity vow with priest as consensual, Family asks for help to lay Fort Worth woman to rest 17 years after she disappeared, Its time for gun violence to stop: Community members grieve for Como, other shootings, Man dead, 2 suspects arrested after Fort Worth police chase of stolen car ends in crash, Two suspects arrested on suspicion of murder in Como killings on eve of Fourth of July. Olson said three people who worked at the monastery contacted him concerned about Mothers use of drugs and her trips outside the Carmel. The vicar general, the Very Rev. The case is now considered closed," the police department said in a statement the diocese shared with CNA. Rev. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Discalced is derived from Latin, meaning "without shoes". On June 30, Texas judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Carmelite nuns against Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson. Congressman renews request to visit bishop imprisoned by Nicaraguan dictatorship, Synod on Synodality: Here are the delegates representing the U.S. and Canada, Synod on Synodality: Read the full list of delegates, Former prioress in Forth Worth admits to sexual misconduct in recording, names priest, Fort Worth Diocese releases photos allegedly showing drug use at Carmelite monastery. Mt. The fundraising makes the members of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns "complicit in their religious disobedience," according to the letter from Bishop Michael Olson. Email: arcarmel@ix.netcom.com Web site: . "A Carmelite has the deep love that leads her to give herself completely and has the will to become wholly detached." (Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.). As church bells rang in the background, Gerlach admitted to breaking her vow of chastity on two occasions. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. EIN 27-4581132 Matthew Bobo, Gerlachs attorney, said Gerlach was hospitalized for seizures in November 2022 and was taking pain medication as a result. | Diocese of Ft. Worth, diocese's allegations concerning "the use of marijuana and edibles at the monastery", publicly identified as Father Philip Johnson, After Catholic University shooting death, family disputes DC police statements. The developer behind Justice4txnuns.com, who did not want to be identified, said it was started to give the general public a place to learn more about the ongoing issue. Hermitage are tax-deductible. Olson dismissed Gerlach from the order on June 1, a day after the Vatican gave him the authority to investigate. Under questioning by Olson, Gerlach identified the man involved as a priest in Montana. Without comment, Tarrant County District Court Judge Don Cosby, sitting in Fort Worth . The Carmelite Monks of Wyoming are a cloistered contemplative men's community that follows the Carmelites Rule. This part of Fort Worth will fuel Metroplex growth for the next 20 years. He received his bachelor's degree in communication arts from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, and then began his career as a producer/reporter at Primary Focus.

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