Austrian Nuns’ Former Helper Faces Court Over Alleged Misuse of Funds

Elsbethen, Austria – A former helper of the three Augustinian nuns of Goldenstein is facing legal action, with the case being heard in court for the first time on Monday, March 9, 2026. The nuns are alleging that the man misused funds raised through a support association and improperly leveraged their popular Instagram account for commercial gain.

Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Unauthorized Marketing

According to the nuns’ lawyer, Maria Windhager, the defendant allegedly promoted a friend’s mineral water brand on the nuns’ Instagram page, which boasts over 300,000 followers. He also established an association purportedly to support the nuns and other members of the religious order in need, but the nuns claim the donations were not used for their intended purpose. Source

The Nuns’ Return to Goldenstein and Rise to Prominence

The legal dispute follows months of public attention surrounding the nuns’ decision to leave their retirement home and return to the Schloss Goldenstein monastery in Elsbethen, against the wishes of their superior. Their return and subsequent leverage of social media, particularly Instagram, garnered significant media coverage. Source

Instagram Channel and Association Formation

The defendant initially established the Instagram channel independently, according to Windhager. While the collaboration was initially amicable, it reportedly soured when the helper began arranging media appointments and marketing products, including the mineral water, on the platform. Later, he formed an association with the mineral water entrepreneur, ostensibly to support the nuns and other religious figures. Although the entrepreneur has since withdrawn from the association, the nuns’ lawyer maintains there is reasonable suspicion that it was primarily created to solicit donations for improper use. Source

Legal Dispute and Claim Amount

The current lawsuit centers around a dispute of 21,000 euros. Source

About Schloss Goldenstein

Schloss Goldenstein, located near the parish church of St. Elizabeth in Elsbethen, is a historic castle dating back to the Middle Ages. Today, it houses a private secondary school. Source The castle has a rich history, having been owned by various families and the St. Peter’s Abbey before being acquired by the Augustinian Chorfrauen in 1897. Source

Previous Legal Actions

In October 2025, the nuns’ lawyer submitted a detailed report to the public prosecutor’s office, raising concerns about the actions of the religious order’s leadership regarding the nuns’ transfer to the care home and the signing of related contracts. Source