French bishops have strongly criticized the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, describing it as a mockery of Christian traditions. The bishops’ statement expressed their solidarity with Christians around the world who were offended by the event’s portrayal of the Last Supper, which featured drag queens in place of Jesus and his apostles.
The bishops condemned the “derision and mockery of Christianity” in the ceremony and stressed that such scenes do not reflect the views of the French public. They urged Christians globally to understand that the controversial content was the result of the ideological biases of a few artists, not the broader French society.
Bishop François Touvet, president of the Communication Council of the Bishops’ Conference, issued a separate protest, calling the portrayal a “scandalous and serious insult” to Christians worldwide. He emphasized the importance of respecting religious symbols and traditions and criticized the ceremony for its provocative nature.
Marion Maréchal, a Member of the European Parliament, supported the bishops’ stance. On social media, Maréchal insisted that the offensive scene was the product of a “left-wing minority” and not representative of the French people. She assured Christians around the world that the ceremony’s content did not reflect France’s values.
Maréchal posted on social media: “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.” Her message included the hashtag #notinmyname.
The opening ceremony’s depiction of the Last Supper has ignited a significant controversy, drawing criticism from conservative groups and religious leaders. The bishops’ statement and Maréchal’s comments highlight a broader concern about the decline of traditional values in contemporary cultural expressions and the need for greater sensitivity in public events.
