The Catholic Church has criticized the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, saying it contained scenes in which Christianity was mocked and ridiculed. One act was particularly irritating.
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris was heavily criticized, including by the Catholic Church. “Unfortunately, this ceremony also included scenes in which Christianity was mocked and ridiculed, which we deeply regret,” said a statement from the French Bishops’ Conference. The Church did not specify what it specifically disliked.
Apparently, one scene in particular sparked strong reactions, reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting “The Last Supper,” which depicts the last meal of Jesus Christ with his apostles. At the opening ceremony, however, the apostles were portrayed by drag queens, a transgender model, and an almost naked singer.
Church regrets provocative scenes
Criticism also came from conservative and far-right politicians in France. For example, Senator for the bourgeois-conservative Républicains, Valérie Boyer, spoke of a “vision of our history (…) that aims to ridicule Christians”.
“We thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us. This morning we think of all Christians on every continent who have been hurt by the exaggeration and provocation of some scenes,” the bishops’ conference said. “We hope that they understand that the Olympic festival unfolds far beyond the ideological preferences of some artists.”
Russia speaks of “Gay Pride Parade”
The Russian Orthodox Church and the Foreign Ministry in Moscow expressed their horror at the opening ceremony because the apostles were portrayed by “transvestites” in a depiction of the Last Supper. “A cultural and historical suicide is taking place in one of the once Christian capitals of European civilization,” said priest Vakhtang Kipschidze, who is responsible for contacts with society and the media in the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova published photos on Telegram and said the opening ceremony had degenerated into a mockery of Christians and a “gay pride parade.”
The Olympic organizers rejected the criticism and referred to freedom of art and freedom of expression. Organization chief Tony Estanguet emphasized that the show was intended to stimulate thought and that its basic principles had been agreed with the IOC. “Our intention was never to be impertinent,” said the director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly. “In France, artistic creation is free.” The idea was to be inclusive, which means not to exclude anyone.
Source: Stern
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