A Carmelite Nun Sues her Bishop for $1 Million and Defamation in Response the Diocese issues Statements - FULL TEXT
A lawyer, named Matthew Bobo, is representing a small group of Carmelite Nuns who are suing their bishop for $1 million and defamation. Bishop Michael Olson, of the Fortworth Diocese, in Texas, USA, accused the Reverend Mother of violating her vows and seized her phone and laptop. Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes (Gerlach) of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. (née Lisa Marie Gerlach, age 43), prioress of the monastery, admitted to violating her vow of chastity when questioned by representatives of the bishop. However, her attorney clarified, that the admission was forced from the nun while she was medicated, having recently undergone surgery. The affidavit included with the lawsuit says Mother Teresa Agnes has a central catheter, feeding tube, requires an IV drip 10 hrs a day, and another Sister acts as a full time caregiver. The nuns initially appealed to the Vatican however, Bishop Olson was just appointed to representative of the Holy See in the case. A civil court hearing is scheduled for the 23rd of June. (See the Bishop's Decree below the video)
DECREE OF DISMISSAL OF REVEREND MOTHER TERESA AGNES (GERLACH) OF JESUS CRUCIFIED, O.C.D.
June 1, 2023
Upon conclusion of an investigation initiated on April 24, 2023, the Most Reverend Michael F. Olson, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth and Pontifical Commissary of the Monastery in Arlington, Texas, found the Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes (Gerlach) of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. (née Lisa Marie Gerlach), Prioress of the Monastery, 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. Therefore, as Pontifical Commissary of the Monastery in Arlington, Texas, and as the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Olson dismissed Mother Teresa Agnes from the Order of Discalced Carmelites in accord with cann. 695 §1 and 699 §2 CIC. She has thirty days to appeal this decision to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of the Apostolic Life.
June 1, 2023
Upon conclusion of an investigation initiated on April 24, 2023, the Most Reverend Michael F. Olson, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth and Pontifical Commissary of the Monastery in Arlington, Texas, found the Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes (Gerlach) of Jesus Crucified, O.C.D. (née Lisa Marie Gerlach), Prioress of the Monastery, 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. Therefore, as Pontifical Commissary of the Monastery in Arlington, Texas, and as the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Olson dismissed Mother Teresa Agnes from the Order of Discalced Carmelites in accord with cann. 695 §1 and 699 §2 CIC. She has thirty days to appeal this decision to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of the Apostolic Life.
This is Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach. Affidavit included with the lawsuit says she has a central catheter, feeding tube, requires an IV drip 10 hrs a day, and a Sister acts as a full time caregiver pic.twitter.com/8MQOVGC1My
— Jason Allen (@JasonAllenLive) May 19, 2023
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