Criminal case filed by nun against Fort Worth bishop closed as ‘unfounded,’ diocese says
The Arlington Police Department has closed its criminal investigation related to allegations surrounding a dispute between a nun and Bishop Michael Olson without finding cause to file charges against anyone.
The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth told the Star-Telegram on Friday that the department informed diocese officials that the criminal complaint against Olson “has been closed as unfounded.”
The complaint against Olson was brought by the Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, who previously oversaw cloistered nuns at the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington.
Olson had launched an investigation into Gerlach’s alleged “sexual misconduct” with a priest and dismissed Gerlach from the Order of Discalced Carmelites.
Gerlach accused Olson of abuse of power and overstepping his authority. She sued the bishop and the diocese and was seeking more than $1 million in damages. A hearing in the lawsuit was held Tuesday in the 67th District Court in downtown Fort Worth. In a decision Friday, a judge dismissed the civil case and said the matter is under the church’s jurisdiction.
The Arlington Police Department announced June 7 that it had received a letter dated May 31 from a local law firm “raising allegations about recent actions taken at the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in our city. In response, the department has launched an investigation to determine whether any criminal offenses have occurred,” the statement said.
In an updated statement Friday confirming the dismissal of the criminal case, the police department said, “Following a thorough and extensive review by APD detectives, and in consultation with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, we have determined probable cause does not exist to file criminal charges against any of the individuals involved. The case is now considered closed.”
Gerlach’s lawyer Matthew Bobo had contacted police about her complaints, which included allegations that Olson and the diocese illegally seized data from her electronic devices before she was dismissed June 1. Police interviewed the nun June 7, according to Bobo.
A representative of the diocese told the Star-Telegram at that time that “neither the Bishop nor anyone at the Diocese have been involved in any criminal activity” regarding the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity.
“The mere fact that Attorney Bobo initiated and made a report to the Arlington Police Department was not unexpected given the aggressive manner he has litigated this ecclesiastical dispute in the press,” the diocese spokesperson said.
The diocese also told the Star-Telegram it had alerted police regarding “serious concerns” about marijuana and edibles inside the Arlington monastery of Carmelite nuns. Photos provided by the diocese appeared to show hordes of pill bottles and cannabis products. The diocese said the photos were taken by an informant.
The Arlington Police Department’s investigation also has not led to any charges regarding alleged drug use at the monastery.
This story was originally published June 30, 2023 at 2:00 PM.
