Schismatic Poor Clares withdraw elderly nuns from Belorado

The schismatic Poor Clares of Belorado (Spain) are apparently preparing to evacuate their convent. According to the Spanish newspaper "El Confidencial", the former nuns moved the five elderly sisters in Belorado to the Orduña convent on Monday. The five sisters, who are between 80 and 100 years old, are in need of care and have not joined the schism in their former community. Apparently, the ex-nuns want to forestall the eviction of their convent, which is currently scheduled for next September if the women's legal appeals are still unsuccessful.

On their Instagram account last week, two of the former sisters commented on media reports that the move of the older sisters was imminent. In the video message, they expressed confidence that the eviction would not stand. "With regard to the elderly sisters, the decisions will be made that are best for their well-being and health, taking into account their will and wishes," the women said. "No decision has yet been made. Arrangements have been made at the Orduña convent to meet possible needs." The Archdiocese of Burgos, whose Archbishop Mario Iceta was appointed administrator of the Belorado convent by the Vatican's dicastery for religious orders, has not yet commented on the latest developments.

Concern for the elderly sisters

Observers told "El Confidencial" that the conditions in which the five elderly sisters were transferred were "deplorable". It is unclear whether the Orduña convent has actually been acquired by the Poor Clares of Belorado. The Belorado community had wanted to acquire the former Poor Clare convent in Orduña in 2020, before the schism. However, apart from the signing of the contract and a down payment of 100,000 euros on the purchase price of 1.3 million euros, nothing else seems to have happened.

The conflict surrounding the Poor Clares of Belorado has continued to escalate in recent months. In May 2024, the sisters published a manifesto in which they renounced the Catholic Church and declared that they would not recognise any popes after Pius XII. In the course of the conflict, they joined various alleged schismatic bishops and were excommunicated due to their schism. All attempts at conciliation by the papal commissioner Iceta failed. The Archdiocese of Burgos had already filed an eviction suit in September, as the excommunicated sisters are still on the property. The eviction was originally scheduled for the end of January. After several defeats in court, the eviction is now expected to take place on 12 September. In the meantime, the former nuns have opened a restaurant as an economic mainstay. (fxn)