As previously reported, the Los Angeles Dodgers initially invited, canceled, and subsequently re-invited an LGBTQ+ group to a ceremony for Pride Month. The group, known as Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which uses anti-Catholic themes and sacrilegious imagery, will be honored on-field for their “live-saving work” on June 16 during “Pride Night.”
Now, the blasphemous group is headed to the California State Senate to be honored and Republican lawmakers are speaking up.
On Thursday night, California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones issued a Senate Republican Caucus statement “strongly condemning” the invite and calling it “inexcusable,” writing:
The California Senate Republican Caucus strongly condemns the invitation to honor ‘Sister Roma,’ also known as Michael Williams, who is characterized as ‘one of the most outspoken and globally recognized members of San Francisco’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.’
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is well-known for their public denigration of the Catholic Faith and have long engaged in outrageous displays of mockery and ridicule against more than a billion Catholics worldwide.
By inviting a prominent leader of this hateful group, Senate Democrats have shown a blatant disregard for the 10 million Catholic Californians in our state. Were this group to spread hateful messages about Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or any other religion, Senate Democrats would certainly not extend this invitation.
Frankly, it’s a slap in the face to Catholics who cherish their faith and hold it as a cornerstone of their identity. Sister Roma and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence do not share the Senate’s values of tolerance and understanding, and honoring them on the Senate Floor is simply inexcusable.
Californians expect this legislative body to minimize distractions like Sister Roma’s invitation and focus on tackling the countless issues that continue to go unresolved across the state. Senate Republicans stand ready to work with our Democrat colleagues to fix California.
My statement on the invitation to honor ‘Sister Roma' in the California State Senate. pic.twitter.com/w03uabZBmi
— Brian W. Jones (@SenBrianJones) June 1, 2023
The Dodgers’ invite led to major backlashes including calls for boycotts among fans of faith, dissent from Dodger’s players, a million-dollar opposition campaign from CatholicVote, and Church leadership calling on parishioners to stand up for their beliefs.
Read More:
Catholic Group Announces Boycott, $1M Ad Campaign Against Dodgers
Last week, former California State Senator Melissa Melendez (R) posted on social media, saying that the group will be honored in the Senate chamber on June 5, and rebuking the anti-religious culture that the group perpetuates.
Melendez wrote:
The California State Senate will honor the group of men who call themselves the sisters of perpetual indulgence on June 5th in a ceremony on the Senate floor. A blasphemous anti-Christian hate group like this should be condemned, not honored.
The California State Senate will honor the group of men who call themselves the sisters of perpetual indulgence on June 5th in a ceremony on the senate floor. A blasphemous anti-Christian hate group like this should be condemned, not honored.
— Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) May 26, 2023
State Senator Shannon Grove (R) took to Facebook to similarly condemn the group’s disrespectful and anti-Christian activities while sharing a petition that constituents can sign in opposition to the scheduled Senate ceremony. Sen Grove wrote:
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” California has over 12 million self-identified Christians that believe this to be true. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence claim to promote pride and inclusivity, but mocking Jesus our Savior, misrepresenting Catholicism, and promoting and directing porn with Jesus as a main character is sacrilegious and disrespectful to millions of devout believers. Inclusivity of a group of people should never come at the expense of degrading and marginalizing another group—especially when it comes to an individual’s set of beliefs.
When the California Senator from Bakersfield denounces the smut film director she is speaking of Michael Williams, a member of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who uses the name “Sister Roma.” Williams is a porn director who runs a podcast that reviews pornographic movies and is on the list to be an honoree at the State Capitol.
The Senate invite was extended to the group, and “Sister Roma” specifically, at the behest of CA Senator Scott Wiener (D) and the LBGTQ+ Caucus. On Tuesday, Sen Weiner published a post claiming that he is responsible for nominating the group to receive awards, writing:
Next week, our Legislative LGBTQ Caucus celebrates Pride at the Capitol by honoring LGBTQ community leaders. I nominated Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, as my honoree, as well as Heklina, to be honored posthumously. Roma & Heklina hugely deserve this honor.
Next week, our Legislative LGBTQ Caucus celebrates Pride at the Capitol by honoring LGBTQ community leaders.
I nominated Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, as my honoree, as well as Heklina, to be honored posthumously.
Roma & Heklina hugely deserve this honor. pic.twitter.com/nIWQejm6yQ
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) May 30, 2023
In a statement, California Assemblyman James Gallagher (R) penned:
It’s disgusting that the California Senate is choosing to honor an anti-Catholic hate group. Would Democrats still embrace this group if they mocked Jews or Muslims? Bigotry and discrimination against any religious group are wrong and have no place being honored in the State Capitol.
On Wednesday, former Vice President Mike Pence (R) also condemned the attack on Catholicism, writing about the LA Dodgers Pride event:
Having been raised in a Catholic family, the Dodgers’ decision to invite the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a hateful group that blatantly mocks Catholicism, to their event next month is deeply offensive. Last summer the MLB moved their All-Star Game out of Georgia over a lie about voter ID and now they are apologizing and welcoming anti-Catholic bigots back to Dodger Stadium with open arms. The MLB should not be apologizing to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, they should be apologizing to Catholics across America. America’s pastime should respect the faith of every American no matter what.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence began in 1979 when three men dressed as traditional Catholic nuns walked the Castro District in San Francisco while one man carried a machine gun, before heading to a nude beach. Later, the group would burn an effigy of Pope John Paul II at an “exorcism” and a “Condom Savior Mass” held in Union Square, in protest to the Pope’s visit to San Francisco. This year, the group gave the “Free Choice Mary” pro-abortion award to a man wearing a bra and panties while donning a nun’s veil, and holding a baby doll with a sign that read “I Had A Choice.”
The group often holds their sacrilegious-themed events on significant Christian holy days, including Good Friday and Easter.
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