Nuns Defy Eviction Order, Remain at Occupied Goldenstein Property
GOLDENSTEIN, GERMANY – September 6, 2025 – Aโข decades-long occupation of a property in Goldenstein continues โขas nuns from โthe Order of Saint Benedict โhave declared โtheir intention to remain despite a recent eviction order.Theโข sisters, who have โฃresided at the site since 1983, are refusing to leave, citing their commitment to providing a spiritual haven and community service. The dispute centers on ownership of the โland, claimed by a private โinvestor followingโค aโฃ complex legal battle.
The ongoing โฃstandoff highlights a growing tension between property rights โคand long-term communityโ presence in the region. The Order’s continued occupation โฃimpacts โคnot onlyโ the investor’s advancement plans but alsoโ the โnumerous individuals who rely on the nuns’ charitable work, including a local soup โขkitchen โขand โeducationalโฃ programs. โThe case is now drawing attention from legal scholars andโ housing rightsโ advocates, wiht potential implications for similar land disputes across Germany. The nextโ legal steps remain unclear, but authorities have โขindicated they are seeking โa peaceful resolution.
The nuns’ presence at the property began in 1983, initially asโค a temporary arrangement to offer pastoral care to the surroundingโ community. Overโ the years, โtheir activities expanded toโฃ include socialโ outreach programs,โ quickly becoming an integral part of life in Goldenstein. “Weโ don’t โขgo away here,” stated Sisterโ Agnes, a spokesperson โfor the โOrder,โ in a press conference held on September 5, 2025.”This is our home, and โขwe are dedicated to โขserving โคthe people of โthis community.”
The current legal challenge stems from a 2023 court ruling thatโ transferred ownership of the landโ toโ investor Klaus Richter. Richter intends to develop the propertyโ into a luxury hotel โขand residential complex.He has offered โฃthe nuns financial compensation to relocate, but the Order has consistently rejected thes โฃoffers, arguing that no โamount of money โcan replace their established role โwithin theโฃ community.Local authorities are attemptingโ to mediate between โthe two โฃparties, but negotiations have stalled. The situation remains fluid, with โthe potential โfor further legal action or even physical intervention. The Orderโค of Saint Benedict โคhas vowed to continue its peaceful resistance, drawing support from local residents โand activist groups.
