Scandal: 'Sisters' of Perpetual Indulgence. They're back!

In late 2006, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who describe themselves as "the leading-edge order of queer nuns," and whose official slogan is "go forth and sin some more," were booted out of Ellard Hall - the same parish hall where Sunday's cook-off was slated - on orders of the chancery. Until the chancery ordered them evicted, the group had leased Most Holy Redeemer's parish hall for bingo games to raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA (California Catholic Daily) - A fundraising event on behalf of orphans in Chile sponsored by Rainbow World Fund, "an all-volunteer international humanitarian service agency based in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and friends community," was scheduled last Sunday afternoon at Ellard Hall, the parish hall of San Francisco's Most Holy Redeemer Church. Called the "Great District 8 Chili Cook-Off" because Most Holy Redeemer is located in the city's 8th supervisorial district, the charitable event, according to press accounts, was scheduled to include the first public return of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to Most Holy Redeemer since October 7, 2007, when two members of the group embarrassed San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer by presenting themselves for communion in drag. The archbishop gave the self-described "queer nuns" communion, but within a week publicly apologized for his actions and issued a statement strongly critical of the group. "Emcees for the event will be current District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty and Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence," according to a calendar item preceding the planned cook-off published in the Bay Area Reporter, which describes itself as "San Francisco's oldest and largest local newspaper of record serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities." A Wikipedia entry for Sister Roma says he is "an American drag performer, social rights activist, and art director of gay pornography. Roma is the art director at gay pornography studio Hot House Entertainment and co-hosts an online live-format talk show about the adult pornography industry." In addition to being a professional pornography director, "Sister Roma" has served as an emcee at the Folsom Street Fair, an annual San Francisco event celebrating the bondage/sado-masochistic (BDSM) and leather subculture that concludes the city's yearly "Leather Pride Week." In 2008, "Sister Roma" posed as Mary Magdalene in a now notorious poster promoting that year's Folsom Street Fair. The poster was a take-off of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper," with men and women in leather attire posed as the apostles, and various whips and BDSM restraint devices scattered around the table. The poster provoked outrage among Christians all over the country. Sister Roma has also acted as emcee at the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's annual "Hunky Jesus" contest. The contest takes place on Easter Sunday, and mocks the Crucifixion. Men dress up as what they think Jesus looked like, and prizes are awarded for what is considered to be the best costume. The 2010 "winner" was "Junky Jesus," who wore a loincloth covered with syringes. In late 2006, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who describe themselves as "the leading-edge order of queer nuns," and whose official slogan is "go forth and sin some more," were booted out of Ellard Hall - the same parish hall where Sunday's cook-off was slated - on orders of the chancery. Until the chancery ordered them evicted, the group had leased Most Holy Redeemer's parish hall for bingo games to raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs.

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This article originally appeared in California Catholic Daily and is reprinted with permission.