The high ideals of freedom, equality and fraternity have been tarnished by “a blasphemous mockery of one of the most sacred moments of Christianity,” the “Last Supper,” criticized the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, according to media reports.
Paglia praised the French bishops, who had previously sharply criticized the opening ceremony, as “courageous.” “The French bishops reported that many members of other religions expressed their solidarity,” the archbishop emphasized.
Supper with drag queens
In the controversial scene, drag queens, dancers and performers apparently reenacted the Last Supper of Christ with his disciples in Leonardo da Vinci’s version on a bridge over the Seine – parodying it as a transgender party and fashion show. The most prominent performer was Nicky Doll, known for hosting Drag Race France, who had already carried the Olympic torch for a while before the games.
“France has enough culture to know that it is not necessary to offend the sensibilities and beliefs of others in order to affirm one’s own vision of the world,” wrote the Catholic magazine “Famiglia Cristiana” in its online edition.
“Insult to millions of Christians”
The opening ceremony also drew protests from Italy’s right-wing parties. “The opening of the Olympic Games was a truly terrible beginning, with the insult to millions of Christians around the world, dear French people!” wrote Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Lega party, Matteo Salvini, on social networks.
Criticism also came from Italy’s Family Minister Eugenia Roccella, who belongs to the right-wing populist ruling party “Fratelli d’Italia” led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She criticised the “display of American cultural imperialism with the classic appendages of transgender, fluidity, multiculturalism”.
“It is a deeply exclusionary and divisive culture, far removed from the common sense of the majority,” said Roccella. All of this contradicts the true spirit of the Olympic Games, which were created to bring people together “to unite in a fair sporting competition that begins with mutual recognition,” explained the minister.
“France has always been careful not to allow itself to be colonised and to preserve its linguistic and cultural identity. This is why the choice made for the opening ceremony is all the more surprising,” said the minister.
Photo gallery: Opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris
(Photo: (APA/AFP/POOL/NIR ELIAS)) Bild 1/44
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