Almost 28 years ago, the San Francisco Giants faced a controversy similar to the one the Los Angeles Dodgers are embroiled in today. In 1995, the anti-Catholic drag nun group known as the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” was on-field before an MLB game. The group uses anti-Catholic and sacrilegious imagery and themes in their performances.
In a letter written to Giants owner Peter Magowan in August of that year, Catholic League President William Donohue expressed concerns about the inclusion of the group at a pre-game ceremony raising AIDS awareness.
Donohue questioned the presence of individuals dressed as Catholic nuns and the pope and criticized the use of the event as a platform for bigotry instead of focusing solely on AIDS fundraising. Donohue wrote that it “also seemed to open the door to anti-Catholicism.”
Magowan, in his response dated September 5, 1995, apologized for the group’s “acts of mockery,” acknowledging that they are “unfair towards the Church.” The Giants owner expressed embarrassment, writing that he was:
…deeply embarrassed to discover the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ on the field during the pregame ceremonies.
Magowan explained that the Giants had “no previous knowledge” of the group’s planned participation, saying they relied on AIDS organizations to provide about 1,000 volunteers. Magowan wrote:
It was most regrettable, as their acts of mockery not only were unfair to the Catholic Church but also were a distraction to the worthy focus of the day. Let me assure you that stricter screening procedures will be implemented next year if a similar event is staged.
Fast forward to the controversy with the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during their “Pride Night” at Dodger Stadium.
Comparing the two situations, Donohue said:
The difference between the Giants’ response in 1995 and the Dodgers’ response today is a reflection of the cultural changes we have been experiencing.
But, he believes recent events indicate that society is reaching a “tipping point,” saying:
As a sociologist, it is my conviction that we may be reaching a tipping point in our culture. The backlash against Bud Light, Disney, Target, the Navy — and now the Dodgers — suggests that the woke mob has gone too far.
He expressed concern about the growing intolerance of Christian diversity masked as tolerance and diversity itself, saying:
We have become increasingly secular, and, indeed, there is a militant streak evident among the ruling class. Perversely, in the name of tolerance and diversity, we have become increasingly intolerant of the diversity that Christianity provides. A restoration of our Judeo-Christian heritage is the answer, not more militant secularism.
Initially facing backlash from the Christian community, the Dodgers rescinded their invitation to the drag group but later reinstated it with an apology. The team expressed their sincerest apologies and invited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence back to participate in the LGBTQ+ “Pride Night” planned for June 16.
In response, Catholic faith leaders and fans have called for boycotts, CatholicVote launched a $1 million opposition campaign and Dodgers players have taken a stand for faith.
My friend and @MLB pitcher Blake Treinen asked that I post this statement for him in regards to the @Dodgers honoring of the sisters of perpetual indulgence. #HoldTheLine pic.twitter.com/jIDeDJF8ke
— Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) May 30, 2023
Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen released a personal statement expressing his disagreement, writing:
Inviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to perform disenfranchises a large community and promotes hate of Christians and people of faith.
Treinen closed his statement by writing about his faith:
Many of their performances are blasphemous, and their work only displays hate and mockery of Catholics and the Christian faith. This group openly mocks Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of my faith, and I want to make it clear that I do not agree with nor support the decision of the Dodgers to ‘honor’ the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
As we reported, pitcher Clayton Kershaw not only publicly opposed the Dodgers’ decision, but is also planning to host a pro-Christian event at the ballpark in response. Kershaw noted that his opposition is simply about the mockery of a religion, saying:
This has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community or pride or anything like that. This is simply a group that was making fun of a religion. That, I don’t agree with.
But, before the drag nuns make their way to Dodgers Stadium, their anti-religious antics will be off-field in the California State Senate on June 5 where they are, too, being honored. The Senate Republican Caucus has put out a statement condemning the invitation as “inexcusable.”
Read More:
CA Republicans Rebuke Planned Senate Visit of Anti-Catholic Group ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’
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