A Texas judge has dismissed a Catholic nun’s $1 million defamation lawsuit against the bishop who accused her of sexting a priest, ruling the court lack jurisdiction in the dispute.
Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach and the Discalced Carmelites filed a lawsuit against Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson, who expelled her from the order after he accused her of breaking her vow of chastity to a priest.
The priest was identified this week as Father Philip G. Johnson of the Diocese of Raleigh, a Navy veteran and brain cancer survivor who was the first to contact Gerlach and asked for prayers from her nuns.
In a Friday ruling, Judge Don Cosby of the 67th Circuit Court for Tarrant County said the nuns’ lawsuit was “dismissed for lack of subject matter” after the bishop argued the bitter dispute was a purely religious matter.
Just hours after the verdict, Arlington police told that they had also dropped their criminal investigation into claims related to the civil case, after finding no charges were warranted.
Mother Superior Teresa Agnes Gerlach (second from right) and her Carmelite Sisters sued the Bishop of Fort Worth for defamation after he accused her of breaking her vow of chastity
Bishop Olson’s allegations centered on Gerlcah’s telephone and email communications with Father Philip G. Johnson (above) of the Diocese of Raleigh, a Navy veteran and brain tumor survivor
In a statement to , Gerlach’s attorney, Matthew Bobo, criticized Cosby’s ruling and vowed to appeal.
“We are shocked, extremely disappointed and respectfully disagree with Judge Cosby’s decision,” said Bobo, who represents Gerlach and the other Carmelite nuns at Holy Trinity Convent in Arlington.
Bobo argued that the court decision signaled that “a Catholic bishop can publicly defame a Catholic to the media multiple times, and Catholic priests can freely disclose the alleged sins of Catholics around the world, without Vatican or civil justice repercussions.” .’
For his part, Olson said he was “grateful” for the court ruling dismissing the case.
“The decision confirms our firm belief that this is a private matter of the church that does not belong in court,” the bishop said in a statement to .
“This matter continues to be dealt with under an established canonical process.” “Bishop Olson once again asks the faithful for their continued prayers for the diocese, Mother Teresa Agnes and all the nuns at the monastery,” he added.
In their lawsuit against Olson and the diocese, the nuns allege that the bishop barged into their convent in April, confiscating phones and interrogating nuns while he continued his investigation
Meanwhile, Arlington Police said their criminal investigation into what happened at the monastery “is now considered closed”.
Police in the Texas city opened the investigation in response to a complaint from the nuns’ attorney and a counterclaim from Olson over alleged marijuana use at the convent.
Bishop Olson, seen in court this week, said he was “grateful” for a judge’s decision to dismiss the case against him and called the dispute a “private matter of the Church”.
Gerlach, 43, has severe chronic health conditions that require her to use a wheelchair and a feeding tube with 24-hour care from a nun
Johnson is currently assigned to the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, which confirmed in a statement that his priestly powers will be limited while the matter is investigated
“Arlington Police have completed their investigation into allegations regarding the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity here in our city,” police told .
“The purpose of this investigation was to gather information and determine whether any criminal offenses were committed in connection with the ongoing civil proceeding between the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and the Discalced Carmelite nuns residing at the convent.”
“Following a thorough and comprehensive review by APD investigators, and in consultation with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, we have determined that there is no probable cause to pursue criminal charges against any of the individuals involved.” completed,” the statement continued.
The developments follow months of wild controversy in the saga, in which Olson accused Gerlach of “sexting” with a priest before banishing her from the Carmelite order, which she joined just after graduating high school 25 years ago.
The controversy has bitterly divided Fort Worth’s Catholic community, and Carmelite supporters have launched a petition for Bishop Olson’s removal for abuse of power, which has garnered more than 500 signatures.
Gerlach, 43, has serious chronic health conditions that sometimes require the use of a wheelchair. She also uses a feeding tube and has 24-hour care from a fellow nurse, her lawyer previously told .
On June 1, Bishop Olson (above) exiled Gerlach from their order, the Discalced Carmelites, a day after he received special powers from the Vatican to continue his investigation
Olson released in court a recording of his April 24 interview with Gerlach at Holy Trinity Monastery (above), the monastery she led in Arlington
In an audio recording played in court this week, she appeared to admit falling in love with a priest over long distance – but she staunchly denies violating her vow of chastity under church law.
Priest Johnson was only identified this week, and Olson said he refused to cooperate in the investigation into the Diocese of Fort Worth’s sexting allegations.
On June 1, Olson banished Gerlach from her order, the Discalced Carmelites, a day after he received special powers from the Vatican to continue his investigation.
Olson said at the time he found the nun guilty of “violating the sixth commandment of the Decalogue and her vow of chastity to a priest outside of the Diocese of Fort Worth,” but did not identify the priest.
In the Catholic Church, the sixth commandment is “Thou shalt not commit adultery” and prohibits sex outside of marriage. Catholic priests and nuns are forbidden to marry and take vows of celibate chastity.
There is no direct evidence of the sexting in court, rather the diocese has produced testimonies and records documenting Gerlach’s confessions that she fell in love with a priest via long-distance communication.
Priest Johnson is currently assigned to the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, which confirmed in a statement to that his priestly powers will be curtailed while the matter is investigated.
He did not respond to multiple interview requests from this week.