Nuns hit back in battle with Katy Perry over convent

LOS ANGELES—A pair of nuns locked in a legal battle with singer Katy Perry over the purchase of a former convent claim in newly filed court papers that an incorrect translation of a Vatican decree was used to convince a judge to clear the sale of the property.

According to court documents filed this week on behalf of Sister Rita Callanan and Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, the decree, when properly translated, states that the Vatican was still examining the sisters’ claim that they control the prized property in Los Angeles.

They allege that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles had not submitted that information to a judge who earlier this month annulled a separate sale of the former convent by the nuns to a restaurant owner.

The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have sought to prevent the archdiocese from selling the complex to Perry for $14.5 million on grounds that they control the property and as such can decide on the buyer.

“Just hours after the court announced its (April 13) decision, (the nuns) learned for the first time that the (archdiocese) actually knew, at least three weeks before the decision, that proceedings remained in (Rome), but failed to inform the court of that crucial fact,” according to the court papers filed this week.

However the archdiocese dismissed the sisters’ claim and said in a statement that the three other remaining members of the order were not in agreement with the two nuns or their decision to sell the property to restaurateur Dana Hollister for $15.5 million.

“As the court ruling stated, the Hollister transaction was not valid,” the statement said. “This was always our concern with the Hollister transaction that basically took possession of the sisters’ property for just $44,000 and a contingent promissory note, without any guarantee that the sisters would ever receive any additional payment of the offer they received.”

A hearing in the case is scheduled June 20.

Perry, who grew up as a born-again Christian but is known for her support of gay rights and sultry songs such as “Teenage Dream,” has visited the nuns and sung for them in a fruitless bid at persuasion.

The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart was once a thriving order but only five sisters remain.

They moved out of the convent several years ago and have struggled to maintain the property.

Proceeds from the sale of the convent would go toward the nuns’ upkeep.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Ruling clears way for Katy Perry to buy hilltop convent

LOS ANGELES — A judge on Wednesday voided the sale of a former Catholic convent to a Los Angeles businesswoman, clearing the way for Katy Perry to purchase the hilltop property.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Bowick ruled that attempts to sell the property to the businesswoman by members of an order of elderly nuns were improper.

Perry has sought to buy the hilltop property in the Los Feliz neighborhood for $14.5 million and to relocate an adjoining house of prayer used by priests. Her bid has the approval of Los Angeles’ archbishop but would have to be approved by the Vatican.

The Roman villa-style convent sits on 8 acres.

The “Roar” singer’s efforts to buy the aging hilltop home were stymied when some members of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary opted to sell the convent to entrepreneur Dana Hollister.

Hollister recorded a deed on the property, but Bowick’s ruling rescinds it. She had plans to turn it into a boutique hotel, which drew concerns from some neighbors.

Her attorney Randy Snyder didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.

Bowick ruled that Los Angeles’ archbishop has to first authorize any sale, and the nuns did not receive his permission before entering into an agreement with Hollister.

Hollister was in the process of renovating the convent when she was sued by the archdiocese last year, sparking months of litigation and highlighting conflict between the nuns and the archdiocese.

In May 2014, at the archbishop’s request, the nuns met with Perry to see if a compromise could be worked out. At least two of the five surviving nuns — who had already searched for Perry’s music videos and weren’t pleased with what they saw — weren’t swayed by the meeting.

The Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary have owned the property for more than 40 years, but they haven’t lived in the convent for several years. Only five sisters, who are in their 70s and 80s, remain, and their order has bickered with the archbishop for years on various issues.

The property was bestowed to them by a devout Catholic who wanted the nuns to keep him in their prayers.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net