Trevor Williams’ Stand Against Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence Draws Diverse Reactions
Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams emerged as an outspoken critic of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ controversial decision to invite the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence to their Pride Night festivities in 2023. The anti-Catholic drag nun group sparked controversy, ultimately receiving the team’s community hero award for its service to the LGBTQ+ community.
Williams, along with other Dodgers players, vehemently opposed the group’s presence at the stadium. In an interview with Bishop Robert Barron, he expressed his belief that Catholics should courageously defend their faith when it is under attack:
"It becomes absurd. If this is gonna continue to happen, what are we doing?" Williams said. "Baseball stadiums should be a place where everyone feels welcomed, like 100%. We should all feel welcomed there. But that was clearly against one certain religion. If you don’t draw the line in the sand, who’s gonna do it?"
Williams’ decision to speak out against the Dodgers’ invitation was a thoughtful one. He carefully considered his words, striving to maintain a charitable and respectful tone while firmly condemning the group’s perceived mockery of Catholicism:
"It was extremely hard for my wife and I to make a statement because we knew it’s a target on our back," he told the bishop. "But it was very blatant what they were doing and very wrong."
Williams’ criticisms extended beyond the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence’s presence at Dodger Stadium. He also expressed concern about the Dodgers’ decision to initially disinvite the group, only to later reverse their decision:
"This undermines the values of respect and inclusivity that should be upheld by any organization," Williams said in a statement.
Despite the potential backlash, Williams’ decision to speak out received overwhelmingly positive reactions:
"One of the few times in my life where I truly felt the power of prayer from others. I was able to be levelheaded. I had an increased sense of devotion to the Sacred Heart because I got to pray that novena with thousands of people and do that. We found out we were pregnant in the middle of this. We named our daughter Monica Margaret because of that grace that we received from the Sacred Heart."
Williams faced intense scrutiny and questioning in the aftermath of his public statement. However, a chance encounter with a nun at an airport provided him with a sense of divine grace and reassurance:
"I go up to her and I have my travel bag with me and my little altar kit so I had this prayer card of Sister Wilhelmina… So, I got up to her and I’m like, ‘Thank you for your witness to the church. Thank you for what you’ve given us. I want you to have this prayer card of Sister Wilhelmina.’"
Williams presented the nun with a prayer card of Sister Wilhelmina, a Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving the poor and marginalized. The encounter, though brief, provided Williams with a profound sense of peace and validation.
Williams’ decision to speak out against the Dodgers’ invitation of the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence sparked a wide range of reactions, both supportive and critical. His courage in defending his faith in the face of potential backlash serves as an example of the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, even when it is unpopular or controversial.
