Three Elderly Austrian Nuns Flee Care Home Return Abandoned Convent

Three elderly Austrian nuns—Sisters Bernadette, Regina, and Rita—have defied church authorities by returning to their former convent, Kloster Goldenstein, near Salzburg, after being moved to a Catholic care home against their will in December 2023. The nuns, all in their 80s and longtime residents and teachers at the convent school, regained access with help from former students and a locksmith, insisting they have the right to live there until the end of their lives, a promise they say was broken. Despite the building's disrepair and the Archdiocese of Salzburg's warnings that it is no longer suitable for elderly care, the nuns have restored some utilities and receive support from volunteers and doctors. The convent community was officially dissolved in early 2024, with responsibility transferred to the Archdiocese and the Reichersberg Abbey. The nuns have expressed happiness and a strong desire to remain at the convent, with Sister Bernadette stating she would rather die there than in a care home. Their story has drawn media attention and public support, with the nuns sharing updates via social media.