Fort Worth bishop’s ‘behavior is deplorable,’ says donor with close ties to Carmelite nuns
Sheila Johnson has fond memories of spending time and attending Mass with the nuns at the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity during her childhood and later as an adult.
Her close relationship with the sisters began when her grandmother, Nenetta Carter and mother, Ruth Carter Stevenson, built a relationship with the Carmelite nuns. Stevenson, who died in 2013, had converted to Catholicism and donated the land in Arlington for the monastery, as the nuns outgrew a home they occupied near Summit Avenue, Johnson said.
Johnson is also the granddaughter of Amon G. Carter, the former publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Johnson, who is secretary/treasurer of the Amon G. Carter Foundation, emphasized that her mother used her own money to buy the land.
Over the years, Johnson kept in close contact with the sisters, and was “appalled by the accusations of illegal drug activity and that the Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach broke her chastity vows with a priest who has yet to be identified.
Johnson said she is assisting the nuns with their legal expenses in their lawsuit against the diocese and Bishop Michael Olson. The lawsuit alleges the bishop defamed them and stole information from electronic devices. A hearing is scheduled at 10 a.m. June 23 in the 67th District Court in Tarrant County.
“I want people to understand that we don’t hate the bishop, but we find his behavior to be deplorable,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she is also calling for the bishop’s removal from the diocese because of his treatment of Catholics and other actions he took over the years, including decisions to close the Catholic Renewal Center and San Mateo Catholic Church.
Johnson said she believes that Olson’s ultimate goal is to take the monastery property.
The nuns have lived quietly on 72 wooded acres near South Bowen Road and West Sublett Road since 1958.
The Sisters of Carmel are withdrawn from the world and spend much of their day in silent prayer. The order has existed since 1562.
The diocese said in an email: “We believe that people’s views on this matter have been unfairly shaped by Attorney Bobo’s false narrative that has been played out in the press. As the lawsuit develops, however, the Diocese expects that its parishioners will have a complete and truthful understanding of Bishop Olson’s actions.”
Matthew Bobo is representing Gerlach and Sister Francis Therese in their suit against the diocese.
Johnson said she visited the monastery as recently as June 11, and said there has never been any illegal drug use.
Over the years, Johnson said she has been in the monastery on “numerous occasions” as she has donated money to help with plumbing, electrical work and other renovations.
“I was helping with renovations. I’ve been in the kitchen, the laundry room, their living room. I have a good nose. The Reverend Mother takes prescription drugs for her pain and nausea,” she said.
Gerlach, 43, uses a wheelchair and a feeding tube.
Johnson said she has also been invited inside the cloister because of her closeness to the sisters.
She also questioned the Bishop’s dismissal of Gerlach from the Carmelite order after he was authorized by the Vatican to investigate allegations that Gerlach violated her chastity vows with a priest who has yet to be identified.
In a video message earlier this week Olson said: “In accord with my obligation to investigate and to report misconduct, I spoke with the immediate superior of the priest, the bishop where he was ministering, and subsequently to his own bishop and informed each of them of this reported violation and of the ongoing investigation. When I asked the immediate superior of the priest to ask the priest to be available to speak with our safe environment officer, the superior informed me that the priest on the advice of his canonical counsel, refused to participate in the investigation and that the priest conveyed to him that he would neither confirm nor deny his involvement. The priest’s bishop has told me that the priest is not currently assigned and that he has restricted his faculties. I am aware of no further investigation of the priest of this matter as alleged by Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach.”
Olson said that Gerlach admitted to breaking her chastity vow to him and diocese officials several times.
Johnson said she will continue to help the nuns.
“I love a good fight. I’m not going to look for one, but if one falls into my lap, I’m not going to back away.”
This story was originally published June 16, 2023 at 1:10 PM.