Nun Involved In Legal Dispute With Katy Perry Dies In Court

Katy Perry's legal row with an order of nuns over the sale of a convent has turned to tragedy after one of the nuns collapsed and died in court on Friday.

Sister Catherine Rose Holzman was one of the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary and has died aged 89.

The legal dispute arose after the nuns tried to sell the convent in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighbourhood to restauranteur Dana Hollister, who wanted to turn the property into a boutique hotel.

While the 'Bon Appetit' was also interested in the property the nuns saw Hollister as their preferred bidder.

Despite this, Hollister was ordered by a court to pay $15 million in compensation to Perry and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for intervening in the bidding process. The court ruled that the nuns had no right to sell the property because it was owned by the Archdiocese.

The nuns dispute this claim and say they have documents of ownership.

Appearing with another sister, Rita Callanan, she said: "You have stolen the property of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. Please archbishop. Do what is right in your heart,

Talking about Hollister's bid she said: "We asked her to save us, to buy the property. She had nothing to do with forcing herself on us."

Callanan continued: "We're trying to get out to the public to say what is being done to Dana Hollister is absolutely wrong, the judge was wrong, the jury was wrong.

"They even admitted it afterwards because they didn't get both sides of the story,"

Holzman then addressed Perry directly: "And to Katy Perry, please stop. It's not doing anyone any good except hurting a lot of people,"

The legal battle has been raging on since 2015 and has seen Hollister file for bankruptcy after the court ordered the payment of $5 million to Perry and $10 million to the Archdiocese. The judge has now put all proceedings on hold following Sister Catherine Rose's death.

Archbishop of Los Angeles Jose H. Gomez released a statement that read: "Sister Catherine Rose served the Church with dedication and love for many years and today we remember her life with gratitude.

"We extend our prayers today to the Immaculate Heart of Mary community and to all her friends and loved ones."