On Saturday, French bishops voiced their dissatisfaction with the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, criticizing it for its “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity.” This criticism has provoked mixed reactions and displeasure among some conservatives.
The ceremony was described by the French Bishops’ Conference as featuring “wonderful moments of beauty, joy, and rich emotions,” which received widespread acclaim. However, the bishops expressed regret over certain segments they deemed disrespectful to Christianity. While they did not specify particular scenes, one segment titled “Festivity,” which included a group around a table with drag queens and echoed the Last Supper, drew their concern. This segment was set to music by lesbian activist DJ Barbara Butch.
The bishops expressed sympathy for Christians worldwide who felt offended by the ceremony’s portrayal, asserting that the Olympic celebration extends beyond the views of a few artists.
The statement was also endorsed by “Holy Games,” a sports program funded by the Catholic Church.
Some conservative and far-right politicians in France have condemned the ceremony, accusing it of being a “woke” spectacle that featured LGBT+ performers and a diverse cast. Far-right politician Marion Marechal criticized the portrayal of the Last Supper as a “drag queen parody,” while Julien Odoul of the National Rally party denounced the ceremony as a “ransacking of French culture.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the ceremony as an example of the “weakness and disintegration of the Western world,” reflecting broader rejection of Western values.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, who is openly gay, had previously stated that the event aimed to celebrate “diversity” and “otherness.” At a press conference, he clarified that his intent was not to provoke or shock but to uphold Republican values of inclusion.
The ceremony has received a range of reviews. While it was praised by French media for its originality and described as memorable, critics from The Guardian and The New York Times found it to be disjointed and overly elaborate. The event, which featured ballet, opera, and rock performances, was attended by around 100,000 spectators, though many were dissatisfied with visibility issues and the logistics of viewing.
Despite some criticism, Paris organizers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) praised the ceremony. Christophe Dubi of the IOC described it as a significant contribution to the Olympic legacy, and Chief Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet called it a “unique moment,” noting the effective security measures with no incidents reported.
