A Nun Involved in Katy Perry's Lawsuit Dies in Court

One of the nuns aged 89, who is entangled in Katy Perry's lawsuit about a purchase of a convent, dies after collapsing in court.

During the hearing on Los Feliz convent sale to Katy Perry on Friday, March 9, Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, who was involved in the lawsuit, died. In 2015, the singer filed a lawsuit against a restaurant owner named Dana Hollister. The lawsuit filed by the star was about the purchase of the 8-acre convent in Los Angeles.

"Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, IHM passed away suddenly today at the age of 89," Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said in a statement. "I was sad to hear the news of her passing and I have offered a Mass for the repose of her soul."

The property mentioned has been vacant since 2011 because the cost of its maintenance became too expensive for the retired sisters. Thus, the Sisters of Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary sold the convent that they have lived in for more than 40 years. There apparently were 2 buyers who wanted the property, the pop singer and the restaurant owner.

The nuns wanted Dana to buy the property for $15.5 million, while Katy offered $14.5 million for the convent. According to the archdiocese, the proceeds from the sale would go to the IHM Institute. However, the archdiocese sued to block the sale in June 2015, arguing that the nuns had no right to sell the property to Dana because it did not belong to them.

Following the suit from the archdiocese, the star sued Dana for interfering with her purchase. The court agreed and awarded Katy $5 million and the Archdiocese of L.A. $10 million in December. After being ordered to pay the total $15 million penalty in 2017, the restaurateur filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, March 6.

Hours before her death, Catherine, who was among five nuns opposing the sale of their former home to the "Roar" singer, said, "We asked (Dana) to save us, to buy the property. She had nothing to do with forcing herself on us." She added, "And to Katy Perry, please stop. It's not doing anyone any good except hurting a lot of people."