Nationals pitcher and Dodgers players join chorus criticizing Los Angeles team for plan to honor ‘Sisters’ drag group
LOS ANGELES (OSV News) – Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams, known for his devout Catholic faith and prominent tattoos, expressed his disappointment with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to re-invite and honor a controversial group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
The Dodgers’ announcement came after the franchise initially rescinded its invite due to backlash from political and religious leaders across the country.
Speaking to his social media accounts while the Nationals were in Los Angeles on May 29, Williams expressed concern about the Dodgers’ decision, garnering widespread attention. Her viral tweet quickly gained millions of views and was shared by tens of thousands of people, illustrating growing outrage among Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Williams said: “Inviting and honoring a group that blatantly and deeply offensively mocks my religion, and the religion of over 4 million people in Los Angeles County alone, undermines the values of respect and inclusiveness. that should be championed by any organization. .”
Williams called on the Dodgers to reconsider their association with the group, stressing the need for an inclusive environment that respects the religious beliefs of all fans and employees. Williams also encouraged her fellow Catholics to reevaluate their support for any organization that allows such mockery of its fans and their beliefs. He expressed his frustration, pain and disappointment with the situation, knowing that he is not the only one feeling this.
His concerns were echoed by other Catholic leaders, including a former auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, Bishop Robert E. Barron, now head of the diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota.
In a statement, Bishop Barron described the behavior of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as offensive and classified the group as an anti-Catholic hate group.
Dominican Father Patrick Briscoe, editor of Our Sunday Visitor, lamented the Dodgers’ about-face, saying, “Countless religious women have dedicated their lives to public service in the United States. … That legacy should be cherished, not thrown under the feet of mocking crowds at a Pride Night publicity stunt.
In his eighth year in MLB, Williams joined the Washington Nationals this season, after previous stints with the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. He is married and the father of four children. In a recent interview, Williams emphasized his identity as a Catholic man who yearns to “build heaven,” rather than being recognized solely as a baseball player.
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw also disagreed with the decision to honor the anti-Catholic group. “I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions,” Kershaw told the Los Angeles Times. “It has nothing to do with anything other than that. I just don’t think that whatever your religion is, you should make fun of someone else’s religion.
Kershaw took to Twitter to announce the Dodgers would be reinstating “Christian Faith and Family Day” at Dodger Stadium on July 30. This decision, he confirmed, is in response to the honor of the Los Angeles chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
His teammate, relief pitcher Blake Treinen, is the latest Dodger to say he disagrees with the team honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during the team’s June 16 Pride Night. He expressed his disappointment to see the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence “being honored as heroes at Dodger Stadium. Many of their performances are blasphemous, and their work only shows hatred and mockery of Catholics and the Christian faith,” a wrote Treinen in a lengthy statement posted via his friend Sean Feucht’s Twitter account.
“I understand that playing baseball is a privilege and not a right. My beliefs in Jesus Christ will always come first. Since I’ve been with the Dodgers, they’ve been at the forefront of supporting a wide variety However, inviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to perform disenfranchises a large community and encourages hatred of Christians and believers,” Treinen said.
He said “this unique event alienates fans and supporters of the Dodgers, Major League Baseball and professional sports. People love baseball for its entertainment and competitive value. Fans don’t want propaganda or politics forced upon them.
He also said he believed that “Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I believe the word of God to be true, and in Galatians 6:7 it says, ‘Make no mistake, God cannot be mocked; A man reaps what he sows.’ This group openly mocks Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of my faith, and I want to make it clear that I do not agree with or support the Rogues’ decision to “honor” the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. ‘But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ Joshua 24:15.
Learn more
Copyright © 2023 OSV News
To print
catholicreview
