The new official religion of the United States does not admit dissenting voices. So it has been proven by Senator Marco Rubio, whose ad with which he wanted to denounce the intolerance of the LGBT movement during the Dodgers' tribute to an anti-Catholic trans group was rejected by Spectrum SportsNet LA, the television network that broadcasts the team's games. The Angelino ensemble celebrates its Pride Night on Sacred Heart of Jesus Day, so the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked the faithful for prayers and "an act of reparation to repair the spiritual damage" produced by this "blasphemy."
On ‘June 16th the @Dodgers will honor an anti-catholic hate group pic.twitter.com/3MoQVyf7Rg
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 6, 2023
"A celebration of hate"
Rubio shared a video on his social networks last June 7 lamenting this fact and stressing that "Dodgers are not celebrating pride, they are promoting intolerance." After showing some of the desecrations of members of this group to the Christian faith, and especially to the Catholic faith, the senator for Florida concluded his message with a forceful: "It is a celebration of hate."
Tonight the Dodgers aren’t celebrating pride, they are promoting bigotry. The so-called Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are not community heroes. They are nothing more than an anti-Catholic hate group. For years, the so-called Sisters have desecrated the Catholic faith. Their acts are grotesque and mock the faith of millions in Los Angeles, including many of the players and coaches on the field tonight. Honoring anti-Christian bigots isn’t tolerance. It is a celebration of hatred.
Spectrum SportNets refused to air Rubio video without explanation
But the legislator and his team wanted to go a step further and prepared a shortened 30-second version of the ad to be aired live on television during the final moments of the Dodgers' game later that night. Through Rubio's PAC, Reclaim America, they sent it to Spectrum SportsNet LA last Tuesday, however, officials refused to air it, without further explanation.
Spectrum SportsNet LA refused to run our ad about the anti-Christian hate group being honored by the @Dodgers tomorrow
https://t.co/nS7DdC8RW0— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 15, 2023
Dodgers "promote intolerance and hatred of Christianity"
Speaking to Fox News, Rubio was very critical of what is happening. The Floridian denounced the hypocrisy of the team, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the network for refusing to broadcast the actions for which they are awarding the trans group, accusing them of promoting "intolerance and hatred of Christianity."
The Dodgers are honoring an anti-Catholic hate group as community heroes, but they're afraid of airing an ad showing these so-called sisters out in the community. It tells you everything you need to know about the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and the media. They are no longer demanding tolerance, they now promote intolerance and even hatred of Christianity.
"It's blasphemy"
The tribute will take place on an important date for Catholics: the Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement condeming the "blasphemy" and urged the faithful to "pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and make an act of reparation—an act offered to the Lord with the intention of repairing the spiritual damage inflicted by sin."
This year, on June 16—the day of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a professional baseball team has shockingly chosen to honor a group whose lewdness and vulgarity in mocking our Lord, His Mother, and consecrated women cannot be overstated. This is not just offensive and painful to Christians everywhere; it is blasphemy.
Catholics Invited to Pray an Act of Reparation on Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Read the full press release at: https://t.co/bEbS6uQhFQ pic.twitter.com/IRCx3FFFiT
— U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (@USCCB) June 12, 2023
In the missive, signed by the Archbishop for Military Services and President of the Episcopal Conference, Timothy P. Broglio; Cardinal of New York and chairman of the USCCB's Religious Liberty Committee, Timothy M. Dolan and the Archbishop of Los Angeles, José H. Gómez, thanked "faithful Catholics and others of good will" who "stand up to say that what this group does is wrong, and it is wrong to honor them".
Christian figures call for boycott of Dodgers
Numerous Christian, Catholic and conservative personalities have harshly criticized the Dodgers' celebration, and have insisted that they change their decision again. Among the professional players, there has also been a reaction criticizing the decision of the Los Angeles team. The first, and most active, was Trevor Williams, pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who issued a statement calling for a boycott of the Dodgers. In an interview with the Catholic network EWTN, Williams reaffirmed his position because "We cannot stand idly by while Our Lord gets mocked."
— Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) May 30, 2023
Dodgers star criticizes team, but will play in game
With this situation, all the spotlight was focused on Clayton Kershaw. The young Dodgers player, a Cy Young Award winner and well-known Christian, harshly criticized his team's decision, making it clear that it is nothing against the LGBT community. "This has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community or Pride or anything like that. It was simply a group making fun of a religion, which I don't agree with." To make their star happy, the Dodgers announced that they would again celebrate "Christian Faith and Family Day" on July 30. Kershaw finally announced that he will play in the game.
Excited to announce the relaunch of Christian Faith and Family Day at Dodger Stadium on July 30th. More details to come— but we are grateful for the opportunity to talk about Jesus and determined to make it bigger and better than it was before COVID. Hope to see you on July 30th! pic.twitter.com/yNu7HyEgR9
— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) May 26, 2023
A controversial back-and-forth decision
Although the Dodgers initially agreed to withdraw their invitation and the recognition of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -an "order of queer and trans nuns," according to their own definition-, the pressure from LGBT groups changed their minds and asked again for their presence as guests of honor, in addition to granting them an award in recognition of its work for the community. In a statement, the Los Angeles team expresses its "sincerest apologies" to the anti-Catholic group, as well as to "members of the LGBT community, their friends and families."
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 22, 2023
