Austrian nuns defy church in daring escape from retirement home

Three elderly Austrian nuns—Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82—escaped a Catholic care home and returned to their beloved Kloster Goldenstein convent near Salzburg, aided by former students and a locksmith.

The women, who had lived and worked at the convent for decades, say they were taken to the care home against their will and insisted on their right to stay in the convent until the end of their lives.

Though church authorities have condemned their return as dangerous and impractical due to poor living conditions and health concerns, the nuns say they are finally happy to be home and are determined to stay.

“I have been obedient all my life, but it was too much,” Sister Bernadette said.

“Before I die in that old people’s home, I would rather go to a meadow and enter eternity that way.”