Vatican Issues Rare Response to 'Last Supper' Segment in Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

[Social Media]

 

In an unusual move, the Vatican has addressed the controversy surrounding a segment in the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony that many perceived as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." The Holy See issued a press release on Saturday evening, expressing disappointment over the scene, which featured elements that some found offensive to Christian and other religious beliefs.

 

"The Holy See was saddened by certain scenes at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games and cannot but join the voices raised in recent days to deplore the offence done to many Christians and believers of other religions," the Vatican stated.

 

The segment in question aired during the July 26 ceremony and included a tableau reminiscent of the biblical scene of Jesus Christ's last meal with his apostles. This reinterpretation featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a nude performer representing Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry. The Vatican's statement, released in French and reported by Reuters, marked a rare instance of the Holy See commenting on a cultural event outside its usual purview.

 

The Vatican's response came more than a week after the ceremony, leading to speculation about the timing. Some suggest the delay might be connected to a recent phone call between Pope Francis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on August 1. While the Vatican confirmed the call, it declined to comment on its contents.

 

In the statement, the Vatican emphasized the need for respect for religious beliefs during global events like the Olympics. "In a prestigious event where the whole world comes together around common values, there should not be allusions ridiculing the religious convictions of many people," it read. The Vatican also highlighted the balance between freedom of expression and respect for others, stating, "Freedom of expression, which is obviously not called into question, finds its limit in respect for others."

 

The Vatican's intervention adds a new layer to a debate that has already garnered sharp criticism from conservative Christian groups and political figures. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, called the performance a "mockery" that was "insulting to Christian people around the world." Senator Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican, deemed it "disgraceful," while Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado described it as "disgusting." Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, condemning the event during an interview with Laura Ingraham on FOX News, saying, "I thought that the opening ceremony was a disgrace, actually. I thought it was a disgrace."

 

Despite the backlash, the controversy has sparked a broader discussion about artistic interpretation and cultural representation. Thomas Jolly, the show's artistic director, told the Associated Press that the intention was to "send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide." Some religious leaders have offered alternative interpretations of the scene. Atlanta Pastor Cassie Noland Rapko suggested on Facebook that the tableau was more representative of the Feast of Dionysus, given the Olympics' Greek origins and France's cultural emphasis on festivity and the performing arts.

 

In response to the growing controversy, the Paris 2024 organizing committee issued an apology on July 28, stating there was never an intention to disrespect any religious group. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also released a statement welcoming this clarification and reiterating that any offense caused was unintentional.

 

The Vatican's unusual response to the Olympics opening ceremony underscores the sensitivity of religious symbolism in public events and highlights the ongoing tensions between artistic expression and respect for religious beliefs. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how future global events will navigate these complex and often contentious issues.

 

Credit: Newsweek  2024-08-05

 

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

[Srikcir]

Just another cult trying to control its dogma to retain parishioners, thus it's wealth and power.

[thesetat2013]

for the Vatican to get involved must mean the transgenders really did insult the Catholic religion whether intentional or not. 

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

"send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide."

If this was true then why were there only Transgenders in the show? it was pretty obvious they wanted to show they are equal to Jesus and should garner the same respect. This show may not have been directed at the Catholic religious history but it surely was meant to be knowingly similar to the Last Supper. With all the problems the Olympics in Paris is creating they should do something fast to fix it all. Housing and food for athletes would be a good start. Have genetically checked athletes to determine sex and to ensure fair play would be reasonable also. Then of course, not accepting China's excuse about food contamination for their athletes failing doping tests. 

[Scott Tracy]

The Last Supper painting is approved by the Catholic Church? Is part of their iconography, dogma? 

 

I suspect not. Why should it be given that status? It is an artistic representation, not a photograph. No one who painted or helped paint it was there at the last supper. 

 

Get a grip.

Edited August 5 by Scott Tracy

[JCauto]

1 hour ago, thesetat2013 said:

for the Vatican to get involved must mean the transgenders really did insult the Catholic religion whether intentional or not. 

If this was true then why were there only Transgenders in the show? it was pretty obvious they wanted to show they are equal to Jesus and should garner the same respect. This show may not have been directed at the Catholic religious history but it surely was meant to be knowingly similar to the Last Supper. With all the problems the Olympics in Paris is creating they should do something fast to fix it all. Housing and food for athletes would be a good start. Have genetically checked athletes to determine sex and to ensure fair play would be reasonable also. Then of course, not accepting China's excuse about food contamination for their athletes failing doping tests. 

 

Yes, for the Vatican to get involved, must be serious! Not like the thousands of Priests who have abused children sexually or the murder of hundreds of indigenous kids in their schools. Trivial stuff. But THIS! Mocking the painting of a guy who was Christian even though it was actually based on a Dutch painting of the "Feast of the Gods", a scene depicting Ancient Greece and their Gods! Gather the torches and pitchforks!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/olympic-last-supper-scene-based-painting-greek-gods-art-experts

 

So, now that you understand that you were simply being ignorant and the Vatican were simply trying to stir up faux outrage against their Church, are you going to demand that they remove this nonsensical statement? Hardly fitting of one of the supposed great religions to fall for this and publicly embarrass themselves by responding. They must be feeling particularly vulnerable given how oppressed the Christian majority who hold practically all the major levers of power in the wealthiest countries are. Appearing to possibly mock our fan fiction! O Lord, strike them dead for their horrible sins! Never mind about South Sudan though, we cool.

 

 

 

[brianthainess]

But this is OK 

[brianthainess]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

the Vatican has addressed the controversy surrounding a segment in the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony that many perceived as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." The Holy See issued a press release on Saturday evening, expressing disappointment over the scene, which featured elements that some found offensive to Christian and other religious beliefs.

 A lot more debauchery, gluttony and drunken behavior, going on in the original painting, they look like they are having a gay old time, and what is going on up in the clouds ? looks like kiddie fiddling to me. No wonder the Pope likes it, must be his go to porn.

 

[NativeBob]

who watched that <deleted>? 

Paris is not a Paris anymore as we used to remember. 

[Grusa]

Never forget that the French brought you this:-

 

https://theslnaturist.com/2017/01/08/naked-opera/

 

Sorry I can't link the original video performance, it was spectacular! Maybe some one else has it, or censorsnip ( sorry censorship!) has blocked it.

[thesetat2013]

19 hours ago, JCauto said:

 

Yes, for the Vatican to get involved, must be serious! Not like the thousands of Priests who have abused children sexually or the murder of hundreds of indigenous kids in their schools. Trivial stuff. But THIS! Mocking the painting of a guy who was Christian even though it was actually based on a Dutch painting of the "Feast of the Gods", a scene depicting Ancient Greece and their Gods! Gather the torches and pitchforks!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/olympic-last-supper-scene-based-painting-greek-gods-art-experts

 

So, now that you understand that you were simply being ignorant and the Vatican were simply trying to stir up faux outrage against their Church, are you going to demand that they remove this nonsensical statement? Hardly fitting of one of the supposed great religions to fall for this and publicly embarrass themselves by responding. They must be feeling particularly vulnerable given how oppressed the Christian majority who hold practically all the major levers of power in the wealthiest countries are. Appearing to possibly mock our fan fiction! O Lord, strike them dead for their horrible sins! Never mind about South Sudan though, we cool.

 

 

 

I think i understand why you changed the topic to attack the Vatican. I am sorry for your childhood abuse by priests that has scarred your entire life. But my reply as well as this topic had nothing to do about priests or the Olympics... 

 

It is a depiction of the Last Supper. Everyone knows it signifies the last supper of Jesus. So i was mocked by the Trans.. 

[rocketboy2]

13 hours ago, Grusa said:

Never forget that the French brought you this:-

 

https://theslnaturist.com/2017/01/08/naked-opera/

 

Sorry I can't link the original video performance, it was spectacular! Maybe some one else has it, or censorsnip ( sorry censorship!) has blocked it.

 

Ooh La La.  

[Cryingdick]

A man in a dress criticizing men in dresses. Yawn.

[JCauto]

1 hour ago, thesetat2013 said:

I think i understand why you changed the topic to attack the Vatican. I am sorry for your childhood abuse by priests that has scarred your entire life. But my reply as well as this topic had nothing to do about priests or the Olympics... 

 

It is a depiction of the Last Supper. Everyone knows it signifies the last supper of Jesus. So i was mocked by the Trans.. 

 

This may shock you, but not everyone in the world is a Christian, and not all art in the world was dedicated to the worship of Jesus or the bible stories. The painting that was being referred to is described in the link I provided you as being from "The Feast of the Gods" a depiction of the ancient Greek Gods enjoying a bacchanal from the work of a Dutch painter Jan van Bijlert in the 17th Century. We know this because the guy who directed the scene told you so in that article, and the museum where the painting is hanging confirmed it. 

That you wish to feel persecuted so you can be angry is understood, it's the thing that sustains your Christian hate. I see that most of your lot have moved onto the next outrage to stoke your fire, a woman who has a masculine appearance but who is most certainly a female, who is a successful boxer. Go get 'em! Say, who made that person, was it Satan? I thought God made all things, so why are you so upset about him making that poor boxer look a bit mannish?

[thesetat2013]

7 hours ago, JCauto said:

That you wish to feel persecuted so you can be angry is understood, it's the thing that sustains your Christian hate. I see that most of your lot have moved onto the next outrage to stoke your fire, a woman who has a masculine appearance but who is most certainly a female, who is a successful boxer. Go get 'em! Say, who made that person, was it Satan? I thought God made all things, so why are you so upset about him making that poor boxer look a bit mannish?

Wow! You make many assumptions both about the religious aspect as well as your personal attack on me. You also assume I am upset? I could not care less about these things so i am unbiased whereas you seem to have a lot of resentment to bash me for something you know nothing about.