Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Tableau Draws Criticism from Church
Christian Community Offended by Depiction of Last Supper
Updated: July 28, 2024 | 12:06 PM
A performance during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday has drawn criticism from the church.
A tableau from the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony has prompted controversy among the Christian community, who thought the depiction of the Last Supper was blasphemous.
Paris Olympics organizers apologized on Sunday to Catholics and other Christian groups angered by a kitsch tableau in the Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday that they said mocked the Last Supper.
The tableau, which was part of a segment celebrating French culture, featured actors dressed as Leonardo da Vinci's apostles, with one actor dressed as Jesus Christ sitting at the head of the table.
The performance drew immediate backlash from the Christian community, who said it was disrespectful and offensive.
"This is a mockery of our faith," said Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, the Archbishop of Paris.
The organizers of the Paris Olympics apologized for any offense caused by the tableau.
"We understand that this tableau may have been offensive to some people, and we apologize for any hurt that it may have caused," said Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris Olympics organizing committee.
Estanguet said that the tableau was not intended to be disrespectful, but rather to celebrate French culture. He said that the Last Supper is a famous work of art that is known all over the world, and that the tableau was simply a way to pay homage to it.
However, the apology did not satisfy many Christians, who said that the damage had already been done.
"This is a betrayal of our values," said Father Patrick Jacquin, the rector of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The controversy over the tableau is likely to continue in the coming days, as the Olympics get underway in Paris.
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