los angeles dodgers Friday night will go through with its initial decision to honor a group that has been at the center of controversy over the past several weeks over what critics have called the organization̵7;s anti-Catholic message.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, consisting of performers wearing traditional religious habits, will be honored with a community award for their “lifesaving work” during the team’s 10th annual event. pride night celebration at Dodger Stadium.
Three Sisters of Perpetual Indignance pose for a selfie during a Gay Pride march in Paris. Thousands of LGBT members and their supporters took part in the Gay Pride March in Paris to celebrate Pride Month. (Gregory Harp / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)
The weeks leading up to Friday’s events included several backlash from the Dodgers and harsh backlash from politicians, religious leaders and some individuals. MLB player.
Dodgers Honor Sisters of Eternal Bliss
The Dodgers announced on May 4 that they would host their 10th annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium on June 16, where the Los Angeles chapter of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was honored with the 2023 Community Hero Award for their countless hours of community service. Will be done. ministry and reaching out to those on the fringes, in addition to promoting respect for human rights and diversity and spiritual enlightenment.”
Los Angeles Archdiocese to Hold Day of Prayer in Honor of Dodgers’ Game Event ‘Drag Nuns’
The announcement was immediately met with a harsh backlash from many including the group’s “anti-Catholic” message. Florida Republican Sen. marco rubio, Who sent a letter to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
Dodgers respond to outrage
A member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence attends a Judeo-Christian church service on Christopher Street Day at St. Mary’s Church on June 20, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Daniel Knoupold)
After mounting pressure, the Dodgers issued a statement two weeks later announcing that they had rescinded their invitation to the group “in view of the strong feelings of those who have been offended.”
“This year, as part of a full night of programming, we invited several groups to join us. We now know that this year’s Pride Night will feature one group – The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence – It’s been the most important thing for us to include. The source of some controversy,” the Dodgers said at the time.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Given the strong feelings of those who have been hurt by the Sisters’ involvement in our evening, and in an effort not to detract from the great benefits we have seen over the years from Pride Night, we have decided to remove them from the event.” Group of the Year Honors.”
But advocates for the group’s inclusion followed, with several groups including L.A. Pride announcing they would no longer participate in the event.
turn around
A Los Angeles Dodgers fan waves the LA flag in the ninth inning during a game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Rob Leiter/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
The Dodgers reversed their stance again on May 22, issuing an apology to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and inviting them again to the event, where they would be recipients of the 2023 Community Hero Award.
“After much thoughtful feedback from our diverse communities, honest conversations within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and generous discussions with The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, our sincere apologies to Los Angeles Dodgers LGBTQ+ members, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence want to ask.” community and their friends and families,” said a team statement.
“We’ve asked The Sisters of Perpetual Indignities to take their seats on the field at our 10th Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 16th. Have worked tirelessly for decades.”
kershaw speaks
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers on the mound during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on April 29, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Caitlin Mulcahy/Getty Images)
clayton kershaw, The three-time Cy Young Award winner spoke days after the Dodgers went as far as welcoming the group, saying the organization is revamping its Christianity and Family Day for the first time since 2019.
“I think we were always going to Christianity Day This year, but I think the timing of our announcement was rushed,” Kershaw told the Los Angeles Times last month. Picking a date and doing those different things was also part of it. Yes, this was in response to the highlighting of The Sisters of Perpetual Doom [by the Dodgers],
Click here to get the Fox News app
Kershaw said it was “hard” to watch the explicit video shared on social media, which showed the group portraying Christianity in a negative way.
“I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions,” Kershaw said. “It has nothing to do with anything other than that. I don’t think you should be making fun of someone else’s religion, no matter what religion you are. So, that’s something I definitely don’t agree with.” am.”
MLB players join the backlash
Trevor Williams of the Washington Nationals during a game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park in Washington DC May 24, 2023 (Scott Tatsch / Getty Images)
washington nationals Pitcher Trevor Williams also released a statement saying he was “deeply upset” by the Dodgers’ decision.
Williams wrote, “A Major League Baseball game is a place where people from all walks of life should be welcome, which I greatly respect and support.” This is the purpose of the various themed nights hosted by the organization, including Pride Night ” “To invite and honor a group that makes a blatant and deeply offensive mockery of my religion and the religion of over 4 million people in Los Angeles County alone undermines the values of respect and inclusivity that any organization should have.” must be retained.”
Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen also issued a statement condemning the group.
“This group openly mocks the cornerstone of my faith, Jesus Christ, and I want to make it clear that I do not agree with or support the Dodgers’ decision to honor the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ I do.”
protest with prayer
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez presides during a Good Friday service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on April 15, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Getty Images)
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invites Catholics from all over the region to a Mass, beginning a day of prayer on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus planned for Friday.
The Episcopal Conference of the United States, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement Monday urging Catholics to pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart as an act of prayer.
“This year, on June 16 – the Day of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a professional baseball team shockingly chose to honor a group whose vulgarity and obscenity mocked our Lord, His Mother and holy women. They cannot be overstated,” the bishop said.
“It’s not just offensive and painful to Christians everywhere, it’s blasphemous.”
Fox News’ Christine Russell and The Associated Press contributed to this report.