Originally published May 30, 2023 2:00 pm PDT
Controversy has ignited within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization following their decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at the team’s LGBTQ+ so-called “Pride Night” on June 16.
This move has been met with significant criticism, including from the team’s renowned pitcher, Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw, a three-time recipient of the Cy Young Award, has voiced his disagreement with the Dodgers’ decision.
The veteran player has spearheaded an initiative to re-establish the team’s Christian Faith and Family Day, revealing that the move was in part a reaction to the organization’s choice to honor the controversial group.
This will mark the first time since 2019 that the Dodgers will be hosting a faith-themed event.
Speaking with the Los Angeles Times, Kershaw said, “I think we were always going to do Christian Faith Day this year, but I think the timing of our announcement was sped up.”
He further explained, “Picking a date and doing those different things was part of it as well. Yes, it was in response to the highlighting of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence [by the Dodgers].”
The Dodgers initially excluded the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their Pride Night event, but following substantial feedback, the organization re-extended the invitation and formally apologized.
In a public statement, the Dodgers expressed, “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, the Los Angeles Dodgers would like to offer our sincerest apologies to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their friends and families.”
The organization also acknowledged the group’s longstanding commitment to its community, “We have asked the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to take their place on the field at our 10th annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 16th. We are pleased to share that they have agreed to receive the gratitude of our collective communities for the lifesaving work that they have done tirelessly for decades.”
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a left-wing group, has a history of producing provocative performances and has been accused of anti-Catholic messaging.
Kershaw shared his stance against mocking religious beliefs, stating, “I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions… I just don’t think that, no matter what religion you are, you should make fun of somebody else’s religion. So that’s something that I definitely don’t agree with.”
The announcement of Christian Faith and Family Day was initiated by Kershaw, who expressed that it was a difficult decision.
“As a team between my wife and I and different people that I respect, we talked a lot about the right response to this,” he explained, further stating, “For us, we felt like the best thing to do in response was, instead of maybe making a statement condemning or anything like that, would be just to instead try to show what we do support, as opposed to maybe what we don’t. And that was Jesus. So to make Christian Faith Day our response is what we felt like was the best decision.”
Kershaw made it clear that his objections concern the group specifically, and not the LGBTQ+ community.
He clarified, “This has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community or pride or anything like that… This is simply a group that was making fun of a religion, that I don’t agree with.”
The pitcher, a self-proclaimed follower of Christ, emphasized his belief in the importance of loving everyone, stating, “As a follower of Christ, we’re supposed to love everybody well. And I think that means being able to be at a lot of different places and be able to be a part of a lot of different things.”
