Call To Action Pledges Solidarity with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
In May 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers disinvited the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their annual Pride Night event following a targeted campaign from Catholic Vote, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).The Dodgers organization subsequently apologized to the sisters and reinvited them to Pride Night, where the sisters will receive the Community Hero Award for their 27 years of service to the LGBTQIA+ and other underserved communities. In response to their Pride Night celebration, conservative Catholic and Christian groups and individuals alike continue to publicly condemn the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and denounce LGBTQIA+ initiatives and Pride celebrations.
After much discernment, Call To Action’s Vision Council, in consultation with the Anti-Racism Team, releases the following statement.
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Call To Action, the largest progressive Catholic organization in the United States, supports the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the countless acts of charity and justice they have performed over the last four decades. We condemn this hateful campaign targeting the sisters.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are queer and trans people who promote human rights, inclusion, and corporeal works of mercy. Since establishing in 1979 in San Francisco, the sisters have offered valuable spiritual, emotional, and financial support to communities pushed to the margins. They ministered to communities who were neglected by the institutional Catholic Church, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community and those living with HIV and AIDS.
We acknowledge the many women religious who have engaged in work with the LGBTQIA+ community over the years. We also understand that some Catholics may feel the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are an example of “anti-Catholicism.” We agree with Sister Jeannine Gramick of New Ways Ministry, who said: "The choice of clothing, even if offensive to some, can never trump the works of mercy."
Catholic organizations are wrong in pitting women religious against the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Both groups have done necessary work in communities pushed to the margins. Furthermore, this ongoing campaign denouncing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is not in defense of Catholic tradition; rather, it’s the work of conservative media, Catholic media, and corporations allowing extremist, Christian nationalist groups masquerading as Catholics to dictate oppressive cultural persecution of the LGBTQIA+ community. Allegations of “anti-Catholicism” are merely distractions from the Christian Right’s anti-LGBTQIA+ agenda; in fact, these allegations only fuel their agenda even more.
Pride is about inclusion. We at Call To Action refuse to have our Catholic faith and Gospel values desecrated by right-wing extremists and used to exclude a group of people who are actively engaging in acts of mercy. Politicians, bishops, and news media attacking the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence do NOT speak for all Catholics nor the Catholic Church itself.
The Gospels teach us to lead and live not with fear and hatred, but with love and compassion. As Jesus said, “I am giving you a new command, that you love one another; just as I have loved you.”
In Solidarity,
Call To Action Vision Council and Anti-Racism Team
Lauren Barbato, Executive Director
For more information about this statement, or to request an interview with a member of the Vision Council, please contact cta@cta-usa.org.
