Roman Rite: Embattled Carmel of Arlington Under New Authority

The Carmelite Monastery of Arlington, Texas, is now under the authority of the Carmelite Association "Christ the King in the USA" and no longer under the authority of the diocesan bishop.

This was decided by the Vatican's Dicastery for Religious in a decree on 18 April.

The president of the association is Mother Marie of the Incarnation. Six monasteries, including the Carmel of Arlington, belong to the Association. They follow the Roman Rite.

Since June 2023, Mgr. Michael Olson, the Bishop of Fort Worth, has led the monastery as papal delegate. In the past, he had a major dispute with Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, the convent's superior, who is seriously ill. Both sides went to the police and to court.

Mother Gerlach admitted to an online affair with a priest, but later said that her confession was made under the influence of medication. The diocese filed a complaint about alleged drug abuse at the convent, but police closed the investigation.

Mgr. Olson stood by his allegations against the superior. In return, the bishop was accused of targeting the convent's assets.

Picture: CC BY-NC-ND, #newsChafqvozqj