Joshua Bennett
The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony sparked controversy among Catholic groups and church leaders, who denounced it as a mockery of Christianity. The ceremony featured a drag queen-led recreation of Leonardo Da Vinci's mural of Jesus' Last Supper with his Twelve Apostles. This depiction holds significant religious importance for Christians as it represents Jesus' final Passover meal before his betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. The Catholic Church and its leaders called the performance blasphemous and disrespectful, prompting the Paris Olympic organizers to issue an apology for any offence caused.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 July 2024 |
| Event | Olympic Games Opening Ceremony |
| Location | Paris, France |
| Theme | Feast associated with the Greek God of Wine, Dionysus |
| Performers | Drag queens |
| Reactions | Outrage, criticism, calls for apology |
| Responses | Apology from organisers, artistic director's denial of "Last Supper" parallels |
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What You'll Learn
Drag queen performers
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics featured a performance by a group of drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer dressed as the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. The performance, which took place on a catwalk or long table, was accompanied by music from a lesbian activist DJ, Barbara Butch. Some observers, including high-profile figures like Elon Musk, Rob Schneider, and Donald Trump Jr., interpreted the performance as a reference to Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," with the central figure representing Jesus and the surrounding dancers symbolizing the disciples. This interpretation led to accusations of blasphemy and mockery of Christianity, particularly from Catholic bishops and conservative Christian groups.
The performers and organizers denied that the performance was intended to mock or parody "The Last Supper." They stated that it was meant to be a celebration of community and tolerance, and ancient mythology rather than a direct reference to Christian traditions. The controversy sparked debates about the inclusion and representation of the LGBTQ+ community, with some arguing that the outrage was fueled by a lack of understanding or discomfort with queer culture and drag performance.
One of the drag queen performers, Piche, stated that "The Last Supper" has been reused in pop culture for decades without issue, and that the backlash in this case was due to the use of queer and drag representation. They also emphasized that there were no provocations or obscene elements in the performance.
Despite the apologies offered by the Olympics organizing committee for any offense caused, some Catholic bishops maintained their criticism and called for prayer and fasting in response. The controversy surrounding the performance highlights ongoing tensions between religious institutions and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the political and social implications of drag performance.
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Apologies from organisers
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games organisers have issued an apology following the backlash from Catholic groups and individuals worldwide. The opening ceremony, which took place on 26 July, featured a drag queen-led recreation of Leonardo Da Vinci's mural of Jesus' Last Supper with his Twelve Apostles. This depiction holds significant importance for Christians as it represents Jesus' final Passover meal before his betrayal, trial, and crucifixion.
The artistic director of the ceremony, Thomas Jolly, has denied any deliberate reference to the Last Supper, stating that the scene aimed to celebrate diversity and French gastronomy. Despite this, the Paris Olympic organisers have apologised, acknowledging the unintended disrespect and offence caused to Christians.
In response to the incident, the French Bishops' Conference released a statement expressing their deep regret over the scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity. They emphasised their solidarity with Christians worldwide who felt hurt and provoked by the performance. Additionally, Bishop Gobilliard highlighted the impact on Christian athletes and the IOC president, Thomas Bach, questioning their prior knowledge of the content.
The Catholic community has called for action in response to the blasphemy. Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, urged Catholics to fast and pray, renewing their devotion to the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Virgin Mary. Similarly, Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, encouraged Catholics to speak up and make their voices heard.
The Olympic organisers have expressed their commitment to unity and respect for all religions. They emphasised that the ceremony's intention was to celebrate community tolerance and promote inclusivity. While they acknowledged the diverse reactions to the opening ceremony, they maintained their regret for any offence caused.
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Reactions from Catholic leaders
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games' opening ceremony sparked a wave of reactions from Catholic leaders and believers worldwide. The ceremony featured a drag-queen-led recreation of Leonardo Da Vinci's mural of Jesus' Last Supper and his Twelve Apostles. This depiction holds significant value for Christians as it symbolizes their final Passover meal before Jesus' betrayal, trial, and crucifixion.
Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent Catholic leader in the United States, took to social media to express his disapproval, labeling the act a ""gross mockery of the Last Supper." He encouraged Catholics to "make their voices heard" in response to this incident. Similarly, Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, called on Catholics to "fast and pray, renew our devotion to the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Virgin Mary" as a form of reparation for the blasphemy.
Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, expressed his dismay, stating that people of Christian faith "deserve more respect." His sentiments were echoed by non-Christians as well, including Eli David, who, despite being Jewish, found the opening ceremonies to be an "outrageous insult to Jesus and Christianity."
The French Bishops' Conference also released a statement, expressing their regret over the "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity." They extended their gratitude to members of other religious denominations who stood in solidarity with them and acknowledged the hurt felt by Christians worldwide.
In addition to religious leaders, politicians also voiced their disapproval. Marion Maréchale, a Catholic French member of the European Parliament, stated, "To all the Christians of the world who are watching [...] know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation." Voice for Justice U.K. and She Leads U.K., Christian groups in the United Kingdom, called for an immediate apology, condemning the act as "utterly insensitive, unnecessary, and offensive."
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Reactions from politicians
The mockery of the Last Supper during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony sparked outrage among politicians worldwide. The Catholic French Member of the European Parliament, Marion Maréchale, addressed Christians worldwide, saying:
> To all the Christians of the world who are watching the Paris 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.
United Kingdom Christian groups Voice for Justice UK and She Leads UK united to call for an immediate apology, stating:
> This is not acceptable. Yet again, the word 'inclusive' is used to justify behavior that is overtly exclusive. Such mockery is a deliberate attack on the person of Jesus Christ and a direct challenge to the faith that underpins and lies at the heart of Western society.
Bishop Gobilliard commented on the suffering of Christians and Christian athletes who watched the ceremony, adding that he did not believe that the IOC president, Thomas Bach, knew about it.
In the United States, Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called on Catholics to "make their voices heard" in response to the mockery of their religion. Senator Marco Rubio, a Catholic, responded to the Olympic "freak show" by quoting Jude 1:18:
> In the last time there will be scoffers who will live according [sic].
Matteo Salvini, the leader of the far-right League party in Giorgia Meloni's coalition government, described the segment as "squalid", adding:
> Opening the Olympics by insulting billions of Christians around the world was a really bad start, dear French.
In response to the backlash, the Paris Olympics committee apologised for the performance, with a spokesperson saying:
> Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence, we are really sorry.
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Comparisons to the French Revolution
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games sparked outrage among Catholics and Christians worldwide for its mockery of the Last Supper, with drag queens portraying Jesus and his apostles. This incident, deemed blasphemous and offensive, has drawn comparisons to the French Revolution, a period marked by anti-Catholic sentiment and persecution.
During the French Revolution, the state adopted an explicit program of "dechristianization," forbidding worship and persecuting tens of thousands of Catholics. The Paris Olympics controversy, while not as extreme, has been viewed as punching down on a cultural and religious minority, with critics arguing that it exhibited bias against Christians.
The French Revolution aimed to reshape society, challenging the power of the Catholic Church and instituting a new state religion. Similarly, the Olympic controversy has been interpreted as a deliberate attack on Christianity, with critics arguing that it disrespected Christian beliefs and figures, including Jesus.
The use of drag queens in the Olympic ceremony has been particularly contentious. While drag queens may be seen as a symbol of diversity and LGBTQ+ rights, some critics have drawn parallels to the French Revolution's overthrow of traditional power structures, including the Church. They argue that the performance was a provocation against Christians, rather than a genuine attempt at inclusivity.
The Olympic organizers and the artistic director, Thomas Jolly, have apologized for any offense caused, emphasizing that the ceremony intended to celebrate diversity and French culture. However, the incident has reopened debates about the place of religion in French society and the need to respect religious minorities, a lesson that France learned the hard way during the violent excesses of the French Revolution.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics featured a drag queen-led recreation of Leonardo Da Vinci's mural of the Last Supper.
Catholics around the world felt offended by the parody of the Last Supper and denounced it as blasphemous. Some called for an apology, while others, like Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, asked Catholics to "fast and pray, renew our devotion to the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Virgin Mary."
Yes, the Paris 2024 Olympics spokesperson, Anne Descamps, apologized for any offence caused by the opening ceremony, stating that it tried to "celebrate community tolerance." The artistic director of the ceremony, Thomas Jolly, also distanced himself from any "Last Supper" parallels, saying it was meant to celebrate diversity and French gastronomy.
In addition to the mockery of the Last Supper, the opening ceremony also featured a beheaded Marie Antoinette, a horsewoman dressed in armour riding a metal horse, and the incorrect hoisting of the Olympic flag.
