A group of Spanish nuns excommunicated by the Catholic Church appeared in court Tuesday, vowing to resist eviction from their 15th-century convent. The dispute began in May 2024, when the nuns of the Order of Saint Clare split from the Vatican over a property disagreement and doctrinal issues, claiming their attempt to buy another convent was blocked.

They've since aligned with an excommunicated ultra-conservative priest, seen by the Church as a sect, who rejects all popes since 1958. The Archbishop of Burgos is demanding their removal from the convent of Santa Clara in Belorado, arguing they have no legal right to remain after their excommunication.

One nun, Sister Paloma, stated outside court that the convent is "ours" and they are a "legal entity" with possessions. Their lawyer, Florentino Alaez, said they would appeal any eviction order. The archbishopric's lawyer, Natxo de Gamon, asserted the nuns have no legal right to stay and should be removed.