Introduction to the New Order of Nuns
More than two years after a scandal erupted between a group of secluded Arlington nuns and a Catholic bishop, the Vatican will allow the Fort Worth diocese to establish a new order of nuns. In a letter to parishioners this month, Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson said the Vatican’s decision “marks a moment of extraordinary grace for our local Church” and that the monastery will be a “place where the beauty of contemplative life radiates outward into the world.”
The New Monastery
The new Discalced Carmelite monastery will be in northern Cooke County outside of Muenster, about 80 miles north of Dallas, on land donated by a member of the church. The diocese has begun raising money to build the monastery, Olson said. Until it is complete, the six nuns and three nuns in training will live at a temporary site in Cooke County.
“This is very much a new chapter for us,” Olson said in an interview this week with The Dallas Morning News. “Our community needs the prayers from a contemplative community of nuns who dedicate their lives to the reparation of sin and sanctification of God’s people.”
Background of the Scandal
The new order comes after a bitter feud between the nuns and diocese that began in spring 2023 when Olson accused the Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, the monastery’s head nun, of violating her vow of chastity with a priest. The reverend mother and monastery then filed a civil lawsuit against the bishop and diocese, accusing Olson of invading the sisters’ privacy and overstepping his authority.
Since then, an extraordinarily public battle included dueling statements, court hearings and police investigations, drawing widespread attention. In June 2023, a nearly six-hour court proceeding included explosive testimony from diocese officials, references to “sexting” and drug use, and audio of a 40-minute conversation between Olson and the former head nun.
Consequences of the Scandal
A Texas state judge ruled that civil court did not have jurisdiction to decide the church matter. Gerlach told Catholic Church leaders that she broke her vow of chastity, but she has also said she only spoke to the priest by phone. The reverend mother has been hospitalized for seizures and was taking pain medication as a result. Gerlach uses a wheelchair and needs a feeding tube.
Olson attempted to dismiss Gerlach in 2023, but the nuns refused to recognize the bishop’s authority. In August 2023, Olson warned they could face excommunication if they continued to do so. In October 2024, the nuns’ Vatican-appointed leader dismissed the nuns from their order and religious life.
Life of the Nuns
Discalced Carmelite Nuns have lived in Tarrant County since 1958, and until 2023 had little interaction with the diocese. The nuns remain on 72 wooded acres in the Arlington monastery, where they spend their days praying, cooking, cleaning and caring for the grounds. Outside of medical care, they rarely leave the premises.
In Cooke County, the nuns will do the same. Unlike the Arlington order, they do not plan to have a website, Olson said. Instead, they will accept prayer requests by phone at 940-641-5564 or mail: Carmel of Jesus Crucified, P.O. Box 308, Muenster, TX 76252.
Celebration and New Beginning
Diocese members celebrated the order’s opening this week with a special Mass, one year after its predecessor in Arlington joined the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway traditionalist Catholic group that is not fully recognized by the church.
Breaking News
Conclusion
The establishment of the new order of nuns marks a new chapter for the Fort Worth diocese and the Catholic Church. The nuns will continue to dedicate their lives to prayer and service, and the community will benefit from their presence. The scandal that led to the establishment of the new order is a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by religious institutions, but it also highlights the importance of faith and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the new order of nuns?
A: The new order of nuns is a Discalced Carmelite monastery that will be established in northern Cooke County outside of Muenster, Texas.
Q: What led to the establishment of the new order?
A: The new order was established after a scandal erupted between a group of secluded Arlington nuns and a Catholic bishop, which led to a bitter feud and a split from the original order.
Q: How will the nuns live and work in the new monastery?
A: The nuns will spend their days praying, cooking, cleaning, and caring for the grounds, and will accept prayer requests by phone or mail.
Q: What is the significance of the new order?
A: The new order marks a new chapter for the Fort Worth diocese and the Catholic Church, and highlights the importance of faith and community.
