Following a controversial opening ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympics that featured an interpretation of the “The Last Supper” with drag queens, religious leaders have released their own responses to the organizers’ apology.
Some say the apology failed to recognize the depth of offense taken by Christian communities.
The Paris 2024 opening ceremony’s tableau, which included models and drag queens posing as disciples of Jesus from “The Last Supper” — a depiction of Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before His betrayal, arrest and crucifixion — immediately ignited criticism.
Daniel French, vicar of Salcombe and Marlborough, said the portrayal mocked Christianity in a manner unprecedented for other religions, sparking a demand for higher ecclesiastical authorities to intervene, The Telegraph noted, adding that Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister, described the display as “insulting and sleazy,” and Elon Musk found the parody “extremely offensive to Christians.”
In response to the growing backlash, Anne Deschamps, spokesperson for Paris 2024, stated, “If people have taken any offence, we are really sorry.”
The apology has led to further criticism.
Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester said, “It’s anything but an apology. It’s a masterpiece of woke duplicity.”