Los Angeles Dodgers relaunch Christian Faith Day amid Catholic backlash against drag queen nuns

The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to relaunch Christian Faith and Family Day amid criticism from Catholic groups over plans to honor a cast of debauched drag queens who dress as nuns.

“Excited to announce the relaunch of Christian Faith and Family Day at Dodger Stadium on July 30,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said in a tweet Friday. “More details to come – but we are grateful for the opportunity to speak about Jesus and determined to make him bigger and better than he was before COVID. Hope to see you on July 30!”

The decision to bring back the faith-themed day, which was last held before the pandemic in 2019, comes with the team caught in a tussle between LGBTQ advocates and Catholic leaders over plans to present a community service award next month to the Los Angeles chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

The Dodgers backed off plans to recognize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence last week under criticism from Catholic organizations, then flip-flopped on Monday under pressure from LGBTQ advocates by re-invited and apologizing to the drag group.

CatholicVote President Brian Burch said his group is gearing up for a multi-channel, million-dollar ad campaign urging “all people of good will to voice their opposition to your celebration of anti-Catholic bigotry and mockery. “.

Mr Burch also renewed his request for a meeting with the team, citing CEO Stan Kasten’s statement that the organization is “in discussion and listening to everyone”.

“Prior to the launch of this campaign, we request yet another opportunity to speak by phone or meet in person with an appropriate representative so that you can better understand the extraordinary harm and hurt your decision has brought,” Mr. Burch said in the statement. Thursday letter.

“The voices of Catholics – including clergy and nuns, whom we would include – need to be heard,” he said. “We hope you will match your rhetoric of ‘listen to everyone’ with action.”

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles also condemned the team’s decision to honor the “peak order of queer and trans nuns.”

“The decision to honor a group that clearly mocks the Catholic faith and sheds light on the sincere and holy vocations of our nuns who are an integral part of our Church is what has caused disappointment, concern, anger and the consternation of our Catholic community. the archdiocese said in a statement.

Join us at Dodger Stadium on 7/30 for Christian Faith and Family Day. Stick around after the game to celebrate and be part of a day of worship. Stay tuned for more details. https://t.co/g9QWEYl5FE

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 26, 2023

The team also came under fire from Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, who previously posted a video of a performance featuring a man dressed as Jesus on a cross engaging in sexual behavior with another man.

“This is the evil anti-Christian hate group the media has stood up for and the @Dodgers will honor in their @MLB game on June 16th,” Mr. Rubio tweeted.

It is the evil anti-Christian hate group that the media has championed and the @Dodgers will honor their @MLB June 16 game pic.twitter.com/TI1bXuyxbs

—Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 25, 2023

CatholicVote accused the band of mocking faith by adopting parody names such as “Sister Mysteria of the Holy Order of the Broken Hymen”, “Sister Sermonetta of the Flying Phallus”, “Sister Rose of the Bloody Stains of the Sacred Robes of Jesus”. and “Missionary Sister Position.”

In his letter, Burch said the media campaign “will include radio and television ads; geo-targeted digital ads aimed at fans in and around Dodger Stadium; billboards near the stadium and along the main roads leading to the stadium, and more.

“This will continue throughout the 2023 season, the playoffs and beyond. You left us no choice,” Mr. Burch said.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center applauded the team for bringing the SPI back, calling it “a step in the right direction.”

“Last week’s debacle underscores the dangerous impact of the political tactics of those who seek to fan the flames of anti-LGBTQ prejudice at a time when our rights are under attack,” said center CEO Joe Hollendoner. “We must continue to unite as a community to advocate for the rights and recognition of LGBTQ+ people in Los Angeles and beyond.”

Founded in 1979 in San Francisco, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a registered nonprofit that raises money for primarily LGBTQ causes, though the group is best known for its bawdy sexual humor and parodies of Catholicism.

“We asked the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to take to the field for our 10th Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 16,” the team said. “We are pleased to share that they have agreed to receive gratitude from our collective communities for the lifesaving work they have done tirelessly for decades.”