In a display of outrage, over 1,000 Catholics gathered outside the California state capitol in Sacramento on Monday. They were protesting the state lawmakers’ recognition of Michael Williams, an influential member of the anti-Catholic Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who performs as “Sister Roma”. This prayerful protest was sponsored by the California Catholic Conference and the California Family Council and attracted a crowd that included clergy, religious sisters, and brothers, as well as GOP lawmakers. Among the key speakers at the event was Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto.
Williams, a 60-year-old drag performer and porn studio worker, was one of sixteen individuals to receive commendation from the legislators. The invitation to Williams was extended by Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener, a self-proclaimed “proud” homosexual Jewish man, who praised Williams as a “badass community leader”. Williams, who has been a part of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence since the late 80s, also hosts a podcast where he analyzes gay porn and has served as an emcee for various explicit LGBT events in the Bay Area.
The California Family Council and the California Catholic Conference expressed their dissatisfaction with this recognition, describing it as a celebration of a group known for their mockery of Christianity and Catholicism. Jonathan Keller, President of the California Family Council, said it was “disheartening” to witness the California lawmakers honor such a group. The California Catholic Conference further criticized The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for engaging in “acts of hate, misogyny, and discrimination against Catholics, and our women’s religious orders.”
The invitation to Williams also sparked disappointment within the California Senate Republican Caucus. The caucus members formally requested Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins to withdraw the invitation, pointing out that any similar mockery of any other faith would likely not be endorsed by the Senate. However, their request was overlooked.
This controversy has been further fueled by the recent invitation from the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to attend their upcoming June 16 Pride Night game. This move by the franchise has been heavily condemned by both Catholic bishops, laypersons, and non-Catholics, given the group’s explicit sexual performances that consistently deride Jesus Christ. Wiener, the one who invited Williams to the Senate, has previously proposed bills to decriminalize prostitution, ease restrictions on sex offenders and pedophiles, and opposes informing parents about their children’s wish to transition genders.