Spiritual life - The Clarissen Convent in Bautzen dissolves - Nuns separate
The Sisters of the Clarissen Order of the Perpetual Adoration have been running their monastery, founded nearly a century ago in Bautzen, Saxony, Germany. According to the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen, they will be leaving it by the end of September. The reason for their departure is the disintegration of their community due to a "creeping crisis" and "insoluble conflicts". Currently, there are eight nuns in the convent. Three of the Clarissen sisters will move to the Nazareth Sisters' convent in Goppeln near Dresden, and another will live in the Ursuline Convent in Dingolfing, Germany. The youngest nun, however, will let her temporary vows, the vow of commitment to the religious community, expire and begin training.
"We are now at a point where the inevitable end of the Clarissen Order of the Perpetual Adoration in Bautzen is approaching," the nuns write in a farewell letter. They lament that they were unable to resolve the conflicts that led to the dissolution. "We stand here in the bitter experience of the poverty of failure."
Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers paid tribute to the long service of the Clarissen sisters in and for the Diocese, stating, "In all different, distressing times – whether Nationalism, Socialism or in the upheavals following the Peaceful Revolution – they have given God great loyalty in prayer and prayed for the concerns of people." The Clarissen sisters have lived quietly in our noisy time and set an example. They have served humbly and modestly, in accordance with the models of the community, St. Francis and St. Clare.
- Despite the Sisters of the Clarissen Order's significant contributions in challenging times, such as Nationalism and Socialism, in Dresden, their monastery in Bautzen, Saxony, is facing an orderly closure due to internal conflicts and a crisis.
- Upon departing from their century-old monastery in Bautzen, three Clarissen sisters will continue their religious vocation at the Nazareth Sisters' convent in Goppeln, while another will reside in the Ursuline Convent in Dingolfing.
- The Bishop of Dresden-Meissen expressed his gratitude for the Clarissen sisters' unwavering devotion, noting their humble service and modesty in the face of societal turbulence, even in the midst of their current crisis and impending disbandment in Bautzen.
