They should not have done what they did.
After the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics featured a contentious reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” with drag queens, there has been significant backlash from religious leaders. Critics argue that the subsequent apology from the event organizers did not fully acknowledge the extent of the offense experienced by Christian communities. The controversial depiction of models and drag queens portraying Jesus and His disciples during a central Christian event led to widespread disapproval.
Among the critics, Daniel French, vicar of Salcombe and Marlborough, emphasized that the portrayal seemed to mock Christianity in a way that would not be accepted if directed at other religions. According to The Telegraph, prominent figures like Italy’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini and Elon Musk expressed strong disapproval, with Salvini calling the performance “insulting and sleazy,” and Musk describing it as “extremely offensive to Christians.”
In response to the controversy, Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Deschamps clarified that there was no intent to offend any religious group. She stated that the ceremony’s goal was to promote community tolerance and expressed regret for any unintended offense. Artistic director Thomas Jolly defended the performance, arguing that it was meant to celebrate a pagan feast in honor of the gods of Olympus, rather than directly imitating “The Last Supper.”
Despite these explanations, the apology faced continued criticism. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester dismissed the apology as insincere, labeling it a “masterpiece of woke duplicity.” He contended that the apology would not be taken seriously by the 2.6 billion Christians worldwide and questioned how such an act could be considered a promotion of community tolerance when it was clearly disrespectful to Christians.
Other religious leaders shared similar sentiments. Greg Laurie of Harvest Fellowship questioned the necessity of offending billions of believers, suggesting that a more fitting response would be to intensify efforts in spreading the Gospel. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia condemned the portrayal as a “blasphemous mockery,” asserting that the Olympics, an event meant to embody unity and equality, had been marred by a disrespectful depiction of a sacred Christian moment.