LA Archdiocese Forcing Nuns to Sell Convent to Katy Perry

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Los Angeles, July 9, 2015 (ChurchMilitant.com) - A group of elderly nuns from the order of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have been battling the Los Angeles archdiocese, headed by Archbishop José Gomez, over the sale of Los Feliz Villa that once served as their convent.

The nuns claim they own the property and have the rights to sell it to whomever they wish, but the archdiocese is claiming the opposite, with an intended $14.5 million deal pending to pop singer Katy Perry.

While certainly not card-carrying fans of Katy Perry — famous for overtly sexual songs like "Kissed a Girl" — the nuns do not object to selling to Perry based on moral grounds; rather, it's a simple matter of business and private property ownership. The nuns prefer another buyer: restaurateur Dana Hollister, who reportedly offered $15.5 million for the estate.

The archdiocese, however, claims that the Hollister deal, while offering more money, has far too many chances of falling through, while Katy Perry can pay cash.

The archdiocees has faced criticism in the past for allegedly placing retired nuns and priests in nursing homes rather than taking adequate care of them. If allowed to sell on their own, the nuns would be able to take care of themselves. Archbishop Gomez, however, has promised to use some of the money from the Katy Perry sale to take care of the nuns should the Hollister deal collapse.

ChurchMilitant.com will provide further coverage as the battle unfolds.

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