It’s a free country, so the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have not met the fate that would come with blasphemy against more sensitive faiths in other lands. Our culture of free speech recognizes that God is not so easily mocked. But it is one thing to tolerate bigoted satire and public lewdness as the prices of a free society; to actively celebrate them is to take sides against their targets.

The Dodgers have a long and deep connection with their Catholic fans, dating back to when they were in Brooklyn and fans prayed for Gil Hodges. The team was long owned by the devoutly Catholic O’Malley family, which used to host “Nun’s Day” at Dodger Stadium. Ever since the arrival of Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, the team has boasted the largest Hispanic fan base in the game, much of it composed of Catholics. Never before has that connection been anything but harmonious with the franchise’s history of real inclusivity, from Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier to the team introducing the game’s first Mexican and Japanese pitching stars. But Pride Night is not about diversity; it is about choosing ideological sides. The Dodgers have chosen theirs against Catholic fans and Catholic employees of their team. This is an insult and a betrayal, and should be received as such.