The Los Angeles Dodgers are scrambling to control the fallout following their despicable decision to honor an anti-Catholic drag group, the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.” Unfortunately, it seems they have resorted to a good old-fashioned appeasement strategy by reviving their long-dormant Christian Faith And Family Day.
Indeed, this move smacks of a belated attempt to mollify irate Christian fans. The “Christian Faith And Family Day” was suddenly announced after Bishop Robert Barron from the Diocese of Winona-Rochester tweeted his condemnation, plainly stating, “Not enough, @Dodgers.” Bishop Barron had previously called for a boycott of the team over its perceived support of an “anti-Catholic hate group.”
Not enough, @Dodgers. If you really want to reach out to Christians, don’t celebrate anti-Christian hate groups. https://t.co/Ne7RNWr2DF
— Bishop Robert Barron (@BishopBarron) May 26, 2023
President of Live Action, Lila Rose, also expressed her disapproval. However, she minced no words, urging the Dodgers to “apologize, cut ties with the LGBT hate group you awarded, and donate some of your significant revenue to real sisters who are serving the poor.”
Clayton Kershaw, a Christian, and pitcher for the Dodgers, announced he was “excited” about Christian Faith And Family Day. Yet, Mollie Hemmingway of The Federalist pointed out the organization’s hypocrisy by asking if the Dodgers planned to recycle the cross from the group’s blasphemous performance.
To many observers, this sudden interest in Christianity is conspicuous. However, it raises the question: Are the Dodgers genuinely interested in embracing Christian values, or are they simply doing damage control, hoping to counteract the public relations disaster stemming from their controversial choice of community heroes?
Any "Christian" planning to attend this event would have to be utterly insane. Clayton should ask to be traded ASAP. Not kidding. https://t.co/XYeFTjVrAy
— Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) May 28, 2023
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) even sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred condemning the decision. However, when faced with potential LGBT boycotts, the team caved and re-invited the group. The decision marked an organization desperately trying to please everyone yet succeeding in alienating a significant portion of its fanbase in the process.
From a neutral perspective, it’s clear that the Dodgers are attempting a balancing act. But to conservatives, it seems like they’re paying lip service to Christianity in a transparent attempt to appease angry fans. The revival of the “Christian Faith And Family Day” does seem like a reactive move, hastily thrown together in response to the uproar.
The fact that the event was seemingly scrapped before being “relaunched” by Kershaw only adds to the speculation that this is less about genuine commitment and more about saving face.
But is this damage control strategy going to work? It’s unlikely. Like Bud Light and Target before them, the Dodgers have learned the hard way that trying to please all sides often results in pleasing none. Christians who have seen their faith openly mocked are unlikely to be appeased by a single day celebrating Christian faith and family.
Here is a local L.A. report on the Dodgers’ announcement:
