French bishops have issued a strong statement condemning the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, describing it as an offensive mockery of Christian beliefs. The bishops expressed solidarity with Christians worldwide who were hurt by the depiction of the Last Supper, which featured drag queens in place of Jesus and his apostles.
The bishops’ statement criticized the “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity” and emphasized that the offensive elements were not representative of the French population. They urged Christians outside of France to understand that the ceremony’s controversial content stemmed from the ideological biases of a few artists rather than the nation as a whole.
Bishop François Touvet, president of the Communication Council of the Bishops’ Conference, separately condemned the portrayal as a “scandalous and serious insult” to Christians globally. He underscored the importance of respecting religious symbols and traditions, criticizing the ceremony for its provocative nature.
Marion Maréchal, a Member of the European Parliament, echoed the bishops’ concerns. On social media, Maréchal stressed that the offensive scene was the work of a “left-wing minority” and did not reflect the views of the broader French populace. She assured Christians worldwide that the ceremony’s content was not representative of France.
Maréchal’s social media post read: “To all the Christians of the world who are watching the #Paris2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation.” She included the hashtag #notinmyname in her message.
The depiction of the Last Supper in the opening ceremony has sparked significant controversy, drawing criticism from conservative groups and religious leaders alike. The bishops’ statement and Maréchal’s comments reflect a broader concern among conservative circles about the erosion of traditional values in modern cultural expressions and the need for greater sensitivity in public events.