Dear Parishioners:
The 2024 Olympics in Paris began with a loud bang. Unfortunately, it was a bang against Christianity! In the opulent and overblown opening ceremony, the centerpiece of the many performances was a mockery of our Lord's Last Supper. I won't describe this sacrilegious and scandalous performance as it has been widely viewed on social media, and describing it would be offensive to any right-thinking person.
It is a sad commentary that the supposed most creative minds in France who produced the event think attacking Christianity is an acceptable form of entertainment. The Paris Olympic organizers have now apologized for the blasphemous scene, suggesting they meant no disrespect or offense to Christians. The ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, has also now distanced his scene from any "Last Supper" parallels, saying it was meant to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to French gastronomy.
Balderdash! The apology and explanation are nonsensical and nothing more than cheap claptrap. The scene was meant to provoke, and it is evident that it is a warped depiction of da Vinci's Last Supper. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester Diocese rightly states: "Christians were offended because it was offensive. And it was intended to be offensive. So please don't patronize us with this condescending remark, 'Well, if you had any bad feelings, we're awfully sorry about that."
The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1495–1498
What all this has to do with the Olympics defies understanding. In fact, the 2024 Olympic Committee states: "The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play."
This offensive attack by the elite French secularists contained none of the spirit and philosophy of the Olympic Movement. It was discriminatory against Christians, displayed no sense of mutual understanding, and lacked any spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play for Christians. Already, several sponsors have withdrawn their financial support from the Olympics. A large tech company, C-Spire, was among the first. They stated: "We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics." Good for them!
The many other corporate sponsors of the Olympics might follow C-Spire's courageous lead. They include Coca-Cola, Visa, and Intel Corp. Their corporate leaders should reflect upon how the Olympic Committee has grossly offended Christians across the globe. In this age of "tolerance," as corporations seek to live by the new code of diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is very apparent that Christians are not part of the program. In fact, the last acceptable prejudice is anti-Christian bigotry.
Many Catholic leaders rightly condemned the scene, including the French bishops conference and two Vatican officials. Archbishop Scicluna of Malta and adjunct secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith formally complained to the French ambassador to Malta and encouraged others to do the same.
One U.S. Catholic Bishop wisely suggested: "In reparation for the blasphemy in Paris, let's fast and pray, renew our devotion to the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, and the Virgin Mary. May Jesus be adored and loved in every Tabernacle throughout the world. Thank you, Lord, for the Eucharist and the Last Supper, your love for us."
The opening ceremony ended on a hopeful note when Céline Dion sang Edith Piaf's "Hymn to Love" from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The Olympic Committee, its many corporate sponsors, and the creators of this sacrilegious and hateful attack upon Christians might reflect upon the song's last words: "God reunites those who love each other."
As committed Christians, let us pray and fast for a worldwide conversion of heart. May those who mock and hate learn to love and respect people of faith, including we Christians. Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go, Sox!!!