Catholic Bishops Condemn Olympics Opening Ceremony for ‘Mockery of Christianity’

The French Bishops’ Conference expressed strong disapproval on Saturday over certain segments of the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony, which they described as “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity.” These remarks have struck a chord with conservative critics and provoked mixed reactions from the public.

While the opening ceremony was largely praised for its “wonderful moments of beauty, joy, and rich emotions,” the bishops’ statement highlighted specific concerns. They did not pinpoint exact scenes but indicated that a segment titled “Festivity” was particularly problematic. This segment featured a group at a table, including several drag queens, evoking the imagery of the Last Supper, accompanied by music from lesbian activist DJ Barbara Butch.

The bishops’ statement, co-signed by the “Holy Games,” a Catholic church-funded sports program, emphasized the broader impact on Christians globally. “We think of all Christians across the continents who were hurt by the excesses and provocation of certain scenes. We hope they understand that the Olympic celebration extends far beyond the ideological biases of a few artists,” the statement read.

The ceremony, characterized by a blend of ballet, opera, hard rock, and eclectic performances, drew ire from various conservative and far-right politicians. They criticized what they saw as a “woke” parade, highlighting LGBT+ performers and a racially diverse cast.

Far-right politician Marion Marechal voiced her discontent on social media, addressing Christians worldwide who felt insulted by the depiction of the Last Supper. Similarly, Julien Odoul, a spokesman for France’s far-right National Rally party, decried the event as a “ransacking of French culture.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also weighed in, condemning the ceremony as a symbol of the “weakness and disintegration of the Western world,” reflecting a broader rejection of Western values.

Show artistic director Thomas Jolly, who is openly gay, defended the ceremony at a press conference. He emphasized that his goal was not to shock but to celebrate “diversity” and “otherness,” aligning with France’s Republican values of benevolence and inclusion. “In France, you have the right to love as you like, who you like. In France, you can believe (in religion) or not believe. In France, we have lots of rights,” Jolly stated.

Despite the controversy, the ceremony received a warm reception in the French media. L’Equipe, a sports newspaper, lauded it for creating “memories for a century.” However, international reviews were mixed. The Guardian’s Arifa Akbar noted some “thoroughly weird curatorial decisions,” while Mike Hale of The New York Times criticized it as “bloated” and diminishing to the athletes.

The event drew around 100,000 spectators to the river banks, with many paying high prices for their seats, while approximately 200,000 received free tickets for less ideal viewing spots. Despite the rain, many attendees remained enthusiastic, though some left early due to poor visibility and prolonged waiting.

Paris organizers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) praised Jolly’s work. IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi described the ceremony as a significant contribution, while Paris Games chief organizer Tony Estanguet called it “a unique moment,” commending the effective deployment of 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 22,000 private security guards, ensuring no security incidents occurred.