BELORADO, Spain – In a move that highlights the ongoing crisis within the modern Church, a Spanish court has sided with the Archdiocese of Burgos, ordering a community of traditional Poor Clare nuns to be evicted from the 15th-century monastery they call home. The ruling is the latest development in a profound conflict over the preservation of the Catholic Faith.

The dispute began in May of last year when the community of nuns, led by their Abbess, Mother Isabel de la Trinidad, formally declared their separation from the post-conciliar Church. In a detailed “Catholic Manifesto,” (English Summary) the sisters announced that they could no longer in good conscience remain in communion with a hierarchy they believe has departed from true Catholic doctrine. Citing “doctrinal chaos” and “contradictions” from Rome, they affirmed their allegiance to the perennial Magisterium of the Church, recognizing Pope Pius XII as the last valid Roman Pontiff.

In their declaration, the nuns stated their intention was not to leave the Church, but rather to leave the “conciliar Church” in order to remain “part of the Catholic Church.” They placed themselves under the jurisdiction of Bishop Pablo de Rojas Sánchez-Franco, who maintains a public stance of fidelity to the pre-Vatican II faith and traditions.

In response, the Archbishop of Burgos, Mario Iceta, was appointed a “pontifical commissioner” and demanded the nuns abandon their convent. When the faithful sisters refused to leave their home, the archdiocese filed a civil lawsuit to have them forcibly removed.

The court in Briviesca has now ruled in favor of the archdiocese, stating that the Church holds the legal title to the property. The ruling threatens the nuns with forced eviction by September 12 if they do not comply voluntarily. The court’s decision focuses solely on the material ownership of the property, dismissing the nuns’ community as a mere “gathering of individuals” without legal standing.

The sisters maintain that the convent is their property, purchased and maintained by their order. “It is ours,” Sister Paloma told reporters. “We are a legal entity, and they are our possessions.” Their lawyer has confirmed they will appeal the ruling, continuing their fight to defend their home and their way of life.

This case has become a sorrowful example of the plight of traditional Catholics. The nuns of Belorado sought only to live their consecrated lives in fidelity to the Faith as it was always taught. For this, they now face expulsion from their home.