The case became moot after the teen obtained an abortion.

But the court is not deciding the big issue in the case, whether a business can refuse to serve gay and lesbian people.

Cesareo wrote that this "apparent complacency" could indicate that some in the church think "sexual abuse of minors by the clergy is now an historic event of the past."

Louisiana and Mississippi would have the earliest abortion bans in the country if the law is upheld.

The shooting shocked communities still in recovery from Hurricane Harvey, the parish itself having recently renovated after seeing Harvey's floodwater fill the sanctuary.

The Catholic Church estimates it alone will be liable for about AU$1 billion ($757 million) in compensation.