July 29, 2024
Statement Regarding 'Last Supper' Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony From the Bishops of Orange View the official statement by clicking here Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Historically, the Olympics have been a time for all people to be united in the love of sport. The games provided an opportunity to set aside cultural differences, ideological opinions and view one another simply as fellow human beings. It was a time in which people from all over the world felt included and united. Sadly, last week in Paris, instead of creating an event that unites and shows mutual respect, the organizers chose to use the opening ceremony to attack Christians. Many of you have seen the blasphemous scene in which the Last Supper was used by drag queens to mock the self-giving sacrifice of Christ — the sign of his love for all people. As if the blasphemy was not enough, the performance also included satanic imagery. The message from the organizers is very clear: Christians do not deserve respect and are not welcome at the Paris Olympics. We echo the statement of French Bishops when they said that the opening ceremonies “unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore.” We ask all Christians and people of good will to pray for the conversion of those involved in this sickening spectacle, to spend additional time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, to boldly proclaim your faith in the Eucharist, and consider boycotting the Olympics this year. We encourage you to contact the International Olympic Committee by clicking here or visiting https://olympics.com/ioc/contact-us to express your disappointment that they would promote division and blasphemy. May the organizers of the Olympics realize that rather than mock and blaspheme, humanity is better served when we work for unity, respect and excellence in sport. With love in our Eucharistic Lord, Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, J.C.D., D.D., D.Min. Bishop of Orange Most Rev. Timothy E. Freyer, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Orange Most Rev. Thanh Thai Nguyen, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Orange
