Judge hears testimony in dispute between Fort Worth diocese and Arlington nuns

NBC5 DFW ^ | 5/27/23 | Alicia Barrera

[DallasBiff]

The dispute between the Diocese of Fort Worth and nuns at an Arlington monastery entered a Tarrant County civil courtroom Tuesday.

Judge Don Cosby of 67th District Court heard testimony Tuesday to decide whether the civil court has any jurisdiction to step into the dispute between the diocese and the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington.

SNIP

The nearly six-hour proceeding included explosive testimony from diocese officials, numerous references to “sexting,” and drug use, and a 40-minute audio recording of a conversation between Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson and the monastery’s former head nun, The Dallas Morning News reported.

District Court Judge Don Cosby told The News that he did not expect to rule this week. “This is a difficult, emotional matter,” Cosby said. “I hope everyone respects that.”

The controversy began this past spring after the diocese accused Reverend Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach of breaking a vow of chastity. After being dismissed from the monastery, Gerlach and the monastery claimed in a lawsuit that Olson overstepped his power by disciplining them and taking personal property from the monastery when they answer directly to the pope, and not the local diocese.

[DallasBiff]

Also, I grew up in a very Catholic background, so don't give me grief.

[kinsman redeemer]

I won’t give you any grief.

You’ve had enough already.

:^)

[Falconspeed]

“Diocese officials” are spreading gossip about nuns and yes, diocese officials are not trustworthy, anywhere.