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Many Christians reacted with shock to the July 26th opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, France. At the opening ceremony, the Last Supper was portrayed as a transgender party, thereby ridiculing Christianity. The well-known US bishop Robert Barron criticized the insult in a video post and asked: "Would they ever have dared to make fun of Islam in a similar way?" Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk also wrote: "That was extremely disrespectful to Christians." (continues below the videos with statement from the French bishops)
The Catholic Conference of bishops of France issued a statement (FULL TEXT):
Reaction of the CEF and Holy Games on the opening ceremony of the Games
In view of the Paris Games, the Holy Games project has been mobilizing for almost three years many Catholics gathered to share the sporting and popular fervor around the Paris Games, this magnificent event organized by our country.
Last week, we were happy to organize the opening mass of the Olympic truce, in the presence of many religious, political and sports personalities.
We believe that the values and principles expressed and disseminated by sport and the Olympics contribute to this need for unity and fraternity that our world needs so much, while respecting the convictions of all, around the sport that brings us together and in order to promote peace among nations and hearts.
The opening ceremony proposed by the COJOP offered yesterday evening to the whole world wonderful moments of beauty, joy, rich in emotions and universally acclaimed.
This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore.
We thank the members of other religious confessions who expressed their solidarity with us. This morning, we think of all the Christians of all continents who were hurt by the excess and provocation of certain scenes. We hope that they understand that the Olympic celebration extends far beyond the ideological biases of a few artists.
Sport is a wonderful human activity that deeply rejoices the hearts of athletes and spectators.
Olympism is a movement at the service of this reality of unity and human fraternity.
Let's get to the field of competitions, may it bring truth, consolation and joy to all!
The opening ceremony proposed by the COJOP offered yesterday evening to the whole world wonderful moments of beauty, joy, rich in emotions and universally acclaimed.
This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore.
We thank the members of other religious confessions who expressed their solidarity with us. This morning, we think of all the Christians of all continents who were hurt by the excess and provocation of certain scenes. We hope that they understand that the Olympic celebration extends far beyond the ideological biases of a few artists.
Sport is a wonderful human activity that deeply rejoices the hearts of athletes and spectators.
Olympism is a movement at the service of this reality of unity and human fraternity.
Let's get to the field of competitions, may it bring truth, consolation and joy to all!
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