The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has released a statement condemning the Los Angeles Dodgers for reinviting the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” a self-described group of “queer and trans nuns” that puts on exhibitions that desecrate the Catholic faith.
The statement comes as Catholic leaders are organizing an effort to educate Los Angeles Catholics about the “sisters’” anti-Catholic bigotry and to urge a boycott of the Dodgers’ “pride night” game event at which the team plans to honor the group.
The Archdiocese calls on all Catholics and people of goodwill to stand against bigotry and hate in any form and to stand for respect for one another and for religious beliefs of our communities of faith.
Read full statement here: https://t.co/ASr5Tsxtk2 pic.twitter.com/jpJXjHSNz3
— Archdiocese of LA (@lacatholics) May 23, 2023
“The Archdiocese calls on all Catholics and people of goodwill to stand against bigotry and hate in any form and to stand for respect for one another and for religious beliefs of our communities of faith,” the archdiocese said.
“The decision to honor a group that clearly mocks the Catholic faith and makes light of the sincere and holy vocations of our women religious who are an integral part of our Church is what has caused disappointment, concern, anger, and dismay from our Catholic community,” the statement continued. “The ministries and vocations of our religious women should be honored and celebrated through genuine acts of appreciation, reverence, and respect for their sacred vows, and for all the good works of our nuns and sisters in service of the mission of the Catholic Church.”
The archdiocese observed women religious serve by “providing a quality education for inner city students, to serving the sick, the homeless, the hungry and so many others in need, to caring for the souls of our faithful through prayer.”
“The Archdiocese stands against any actions that would disparage and diminish our Christian faith and those who dedicate their lives to Christ,” the statement said.
“Let’s pray for all our women religious today, who do so much to make this a true City of the Angels,” tweeted Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez (pictured above, left). “And let us work together to bring a spirit of peace and mutual respect to our community.”
Let's pray for all our women religious today, who do so much to make this a true City of the Angels. And let us work together to bring a spirit of peace and mutual respect to our community.
Read our latest on @AngelusNews: https://t.co/I4xlXOEZsi pic.twitter.com/8T5fuRe175
— Abp. José H. Gomez (@ArchbishopGomez) May 23, 2023
Catholic League President Bill Donohue announced Wednesday he is conducting a “mass mailing” of his report on the decades-long history of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to all Los Angeles Catholic parishes.
“In the cover letter, I am asking pastors to let their parishioners know about our response to the Dodgers giving an award to the ‘Sisters’ at Dodger Stadium on Pride Night, June 16,” Donohue wrote. “We are asking Catholics not to attend the game.”
The Catholic civil rights leader expressed gratitude for the support of both Gomez and San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone (pictured above, right).
Archdiocese of LA calls on all of us to send messages of support and love to our Catholic sisters. Find a nun and thank her. https://t.co/Ye4TPICT3g
— Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone (@ArchCordileone) May 23, 2023
“The release of the report online yesterday was our first salvo against the Dodgers and Major League Baseball (it could have stopped the event),” Donohue said. “Today’s mass mailing represents our second response.”
“This will be an ongoing campaign over the next few weeks,” he said.
The “sisters” celebrated the apology by the Dodgers and the decision to honor the radical group at the team’s pride night event, claiming “Love always wins!”
The Los Angeles Dodgers are offering their apologies and re-inviting the LA Sisters to be honored at their Pride Night. Please see the official comms from the Dodgers, and the LA Sisters.
Love always win! pic.twitter.com/9llgSSTnRE— The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (@SFSisters) May 23, 2023
The “sisters” said in a statement they are “proud to accept the Community Hero Award from the Los Angeles Dodgers for our twenty-seven years of service to the LGBTQIA2S Community.”
“A full apology and explanation was given to use by the Dodgers staff which we accept,” the “queer and trans nuns” said, adding the Dodgers “have asked us to continue an ongoing relationship with them” in the event “similar pressures from outside our community arise.”
“Our two organizations will consult and assist each other in responding, alongside our colleagues at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and others from the LGBTQIA2S community, now more closely tied with the LA Dodgers than ever before,” the group touted.
Members of the “sisters’” board have names such as “Sister Selma Soul,” who holds the post of “sexytary,” “Sister Jezabelle of the Enraptured Sling,” and “Sister Shalita Corndog.”
“May the games be blessed! May the players be blessed! May the fans be blessed! May the beer and hot dogs flow forth in tasty abundance!” the “sisters” delivered a mock prayer in concluding their statement.
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Susan Berry, PhD, is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Archbishop José H. Gomez” by Archbishop José H. Gomez. Photo “San Francisco Bishop Cordileone” by Archdiocese of San Francisco. Photos “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” by asopuma. CC BY 2.0; and by Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence / Gooch.
