(Fort Worth, TX)  —  Hundreds of parishioners in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth want their diocese and bishop investigated by the Vatican.

Parishioners at St. Martin de Porres in Prosper spearheaded the petition, which has at least 600 signatures.  The petition says Bishop Michael Olson has “operated against canon law” and used abusive language against priests and other ministers in the diocese.  It calls for the Vatican to investigate Olson’s behavior in the closure of the San Mateo Catholic Church and other incidents since he took over the diocese in 2014.

In response to the petition, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth released a statement late Thursday saying, “Since he was appointed as the Bishop of Fort Worth five years ago by Pope Francis, Bishop Michael F. Olson has faithfully executed the duties of the Bishop as set out by the Holy See in Rome and in accord with Canon and civil law.”  The statement goes on to say “Bishop Olson will continue to provide the spiritual leadership and guidance to the people of The Diocese of Fort Worth for which he was ordained to do…”