ARLINGTON — The Carmelite nuns in Arlington have transferred ownership of their expansive wooded monastery to a new foundation amid an ongoing dispute with the Catholic Bishop of Fort Worth.
The foundation, Friends of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington , is made up of supporters and benefactors who stand with the nuns despite Bishop Michael Olson’s describing the nuns’ actions as “scandalous disobedience,” and urging people to disassociate with them “for the good of your souls.”
Olson has denied having any designs on the property. However, representatives for the nuns believe it may be a key factor in their conflict.
“And we’re hoping now that he understands that this property is something he will never get his hands on that he will go back to concentrating on the other million and a half Catholics and leave these sisters alone,” said Matthew Bobo, an attorney for the nuns and a director of the new foundation.