Current Events & Issues

(Scroll Down for Additional Media Outlets)

Catholic News Agency

In 1995 a ‘deeply embarrassed’ MLB owner apologized for event with anti-Catholic drag performers 

The "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" at an "LGBT pride" march in 1995. / Joe Mabel|Wikipedia|GFDL

Washington D.C., Jun 2, 2023 / 16:20 pm (CNA).

The Los Angeles Dodgers, it turns out, are not the first MLB team to find themselves in hot water over an invitation to the drag group calling itself the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.” 

Almost 28 years ago, the owner of the San Francisco Giants wrote a letter of apology to the Catholic League for hosting the drag group on the field before a game, according to correspondence the Catholic League shared with CNA on Friday.

In a letter dated Aug. 28, 1995, Catholic League President William Donohue raised his concerns with Giants owner Peter Magowan, who died in 2019, that the pregame ceremony designed to raise AIDS awareness “also seemed to open the door to anti-Catholicism.”

In response, Magowan expressed regret for the inclusion of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at the event, saying “their acts of mockery” were “unfair to the Catholic Church.”

A national group of drag performers founded in 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence dress as religious sisters, using Catholic religious imagery and themes in protests and sexualized performances to raise awareness and money for LGBTQ+ causes. 

“We were informed that people dressed as Catholic nuns and as the pope were on the field. The ‘nuns’ apparently attend many AIDS-related events and are known as the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,’” Donohue wrote. “If this group mocking Catholics and the Church did attend, the Catholic League would like to know why.”

Donohue added that “an event meant to raise money for AIDS should not become a forum for bigotry.”

In response, the Giants owner said that the team was “deeply embarrassed to discover the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ on the field during the pregame ceremonies” in a letter dated Sept. 5, 1995.  

Magowan assured the Catholic League that “the Giants had no previous knowledge” that the anti-Catholic drag group would be participating in the ceremonies, explaining that the team relied on AIDS organizations to provide the 1,000 volunteers.

Though he said the team was not aware the anti-Catholic group would be there, Magowan reiterated that he “in no way condon[ed] the behavior of this group.”

“It was most regrettable, as their acts of mockery not only were unfair to the Catholic Church but also were a distraction to the worthy focus of the day,” Magowan said. “Let me assure you that stricter screening procedures will be implemented next year if a similar event is staged.”

The recent controversy erupted last week after the Dodgers announced that they would honor the Los Angeles chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with a “Community Hero Award” during their Pride Night at Dodger Stadium event on June 16.

Donohue told CNA that he believes “the difference between the Giants’ response in 1995 and the Dodgers’ response today is a reflection of the cultural changes we have been experiencing.” 

“We have become increasingly secular, and indeed there is a militant streak evident among the ruling class,” Donohue said. “Perversely, in the name of tolerance and diversity, we have become increasingly intolerant of the diversity that Christianity provides.” 

Donohue added that he believes “a restoration of our Judeo-Christian heritage is the answer, not more militant secularism.” 

“As a sociologist, it is my conviction that we may be reaching a tipping point in our culture,” Donohue asserted. “The backlash against Bud Light, Disney, Target, the Navy — and now the Dodgers — suggests that the woke mob has gone too far.” 

After initially receiving blowback from the Christian community, the Dodgers revoked their invitation to the drag group, only to reinstate it with an apology days later.  

“The Los Angeles Dodgers would like to offer our sincerest apologies to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” the team said in an official statement on Twitter, adding: “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 Dodgers said. “In the weeks ahead, we will continue to work with our LGBTQ+ partners to better educate ourselves, find ways to strengthen the ties that bind, and use our platform to support all our fans who make up the diversity of the Dodgers family.” 

Not all the team members agreed with the team’s decision to re-invite the anti-Catholic drag group.

In a personal statement, Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen said that the team’s decision “disenfranchises a large community and promotes hate of Christians and people of faith.” 

“Many of their performances are blasphemous, and their work only displays hate and mockery of Catholics and the Christian faith,” Treinen said, adding: “This group openly mocks Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of my faith, and I want to make it clear that I do not agree with nor support the decision of the Dodgers to ‘honor’ the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.” 

Click to read more...

Diocese of Providence

From Bishop Henning: ‘The Domestic Church’

Here in the Diocese of Providence, the spring confirmation season has just concluded. Bishop Tobin, Bishop Evans and I have been traveling across the diocese since April for the conferral of this beautiful sacrament. It has given me the opportunity to join some 25 communities and see how each in their own way celebrates and rejoices. I always strive to express my own joy for the confirmed and my gratitude to their parents and families. At this time of the year, when we also honor mothers and fathers, I have been thinking of and praying for “the domestic church.” Click to read more...

THIS WEEKEND! CAL Volleyball Tournament

The annual CAL Volleyball Tournament is this weekend, Sat. - Sun., June 3-4 at LaSalle Academy, Providence. On April 24th thirty-four teams in four divisions began the season and now the top 12 teams - based upon winning percentage - will compete in this single elimination tournament. Games will be played on two courts at 9, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. on Saturday. The semi-finals are set for Sunday at 1 p.m. and the championship game at 1:45 p.m. Click below for the brackets listing the teams participating and the schedule for the tournament. Click to read more...

Special Events for 06-01-23

Happening "Around the Diocese"... Click to read more...

St. Raphael Academy rallies around one of their own wounded in shooting

By RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor PAWTUCKET — The St. Raphael Academy community is rallying around one of their own after a freshman was wounded in a tragic shooting last week that also killed her father, a well-known and respected Little League coach and active member of St. Mary Parish and its school board in Cranston. Click to read more...

Is your business organization eligible for a scholarship tax credit?

Your donation to the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Providence through FACE of RI will help economically challenged students attend a Catholic school of their choice! Click to learn more! *Applications available beginning June 1, deadline to apply is July 1, 2023.* Click to read more...

LifeNews.com

 

Abortion Clinic Staffer Tries to Hide Botched Abortion on 911 Call, Calls Hemorrhaging a “Non-Emergency”

On May 25, an employee of Women’s Med Dayton (WMD) in Dayton, Ohio, called 911 to request a “non-emergency” transport for a 36-year-old woman to a hospital for emergency intervention. The 911 dispatcher was clearly baffled by the request, perhaps initially thinking the caller intended to call for an Uber ride instead. “I don’t understand […]

The post Abortion Clinic Staffer Tries to Hide Botched Abortion on 911 Call, Calls Hemorrhaging a “Non-Emergency” appeared first on LifeNews.com.

Click to read more...

Democrats Will Fine Oregon Republicans $325 Every Day They Block Bill for Secret Abortions on Teen Girls

Oregon Senate Democrats plan to punish their Republican peers with hefty fines as long as they keep blocking a pro-abortion bill that strips away parents’ rights and makes young girls more vulnerable to abuse. WFIN reports state Senate Democrats agreed Thursday to fine lawmakers $325 per day, or their average daily pay, for each day they […]

The post Democrats Will Fine Oregon Republicans $325 Every Day They Block Bill for Secret Abortions on Teen Girls appeared first on LifeNews.com.

Click to read more...

Woman Arrested for Trying to Use Abortion Pills to Kill Another Woman’s Baby

Two crime reports in just one month confirm pro-life advocates’ fears that more women will be forced to abort their unborn babies as a result of the Biden administration’s relaxation of abortion pill regulations. The latest report comes from Florida where authorities arrested a 21-year-old woman who allegedly bought abortion pills in an attempt to […]

The post Woman Arrested for Trying to Use Abortion Pills to Kill Another Woman’s Baby appeared first on LifeNews.com.

Click to read more...

Florida Supreme Court Should Rule There’s No Right to Kill Babies in Abortions

Yesterday, Florida Phoenix reporter  Michael Moline wrote a speculative piece about how soon (it’s “drawing nearer to deciding”) the Florida Supreme Court will come down on the constitutionality of the state’s law protecting unborn children after 15 weeks. If the justices uphold HB 5, or the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality bill, it gives them the opportunity to consider The […]

The post Florida Supreme Court Should Rule There’s No Right to Kill Babies in Abortions appeared first on LifeNews.com.

Click to read more...

New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy Wants to Close Pregnancy Centers That Help Women Find Abortion Alternatives

Top Democrats in New Jersey want to stop pregnant women from seeking help for themselves and their babies at pregnancy resource centers. At the state and federal level, New Jersey lawmakers recently introduced legislation to thwart their life-saving work based on unfounded claims of false advertising. Politico published a very biased report this week about the […]

The post New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy Wants to Close Pregnancy Centers That Help Women Find Abortion Alternatives appeared first on LifeNews.com.

Click to read more...

 

The Coming Home Network

 

The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #356

Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support.  The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, reverts,

The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #356 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.

Click to read more...

Living Your First Year as a New Catholic – Episode 29

Whether you entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, or at Pentecost, or at some other time, that first year of getting your bearings and living the sacramental life

The post Living Your First Year as a New Catholic – Episode 29 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.

Click to read more...

The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #355

Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support.  The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, reverts,

The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #355 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.

Click to read more...

The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #355

Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support.  The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, reverts,

The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #355 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.

Click to read more...

The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #354

Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support.  The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, reverts,

The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #354 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.

Click to read more...

 

 

 
Online Giving

Online Giving

Secure and Convenient Donate now!