Allister condemns 'disgraceful and blasphemous' mocking of Christianity at Olympic opening ceremony
The organisers of the Paris Olympics have apologised for any offence caused by religious depictions during Friday night’s opening ceremony which prompted shock and disgust from Christians and others across the world.
The event parodied the Biblical scene of the Last Supper – with drag queens, a transgender model and a singer made up as the Greek god of wine evoking Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting.
Some religious groups condemned the ceremony, including the Catholic Church in France which said it included “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity”, as it was claimed it referenced the painting of Jesus Christ and his apostles.
In a press conference on Sunday, Paris 2024 organiser Anne Descamps apologised for any offence caused and insisted that the ceremony intended to “celebrate community tolerance”.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group,” she said.
“On the contrary, I think Thomas Jolly did try to intend to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved, if people have taken any offence, we of course are really sorry.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) welcomed the French response.
Meanwhile, Jim Allister has tabled motion in the House of Commons condemning what he has described as the “disgraceful and blasphemous mocking of Christianity” at Friday night’s opening ceremony in Paris.
The TUV MP said: “Once more those who would not dare offend any other religion gratuitously and deliberately incorporated into the opening ceremony a gross and blasphemous attack upon something central to Christianity, the Lord’s Supper.
“The offence and outrage caused must be registered in every appropriate forum. Hence my House of Commons motion. I invite other MPs to add their names.”
DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley told the News Letter said that the ceremony should have been about a celebration of sport, not demonising Christianity.
“I, like many people out there were shocked at the awful display at the Olympic opening ceremony. At a global event, renowned for its celebration of world athletics and sport, the Paris Olympic ceremony chose to put on a display that was woke and a mockery of the Christian faith.
“This mockery of the Christian faith is offensive and hurtful to many of us, and I do not believe an accurate reflection of society as a whole. Could we imagine the global reaction if the Olympic committee chose to mock any other religion?
“They would be globally reprimanded by ‘the great and the good’. The Olympics should celebrate sport - not attack Christianity. People of faith around the world should not let this moment go unchecked. To do so, only encourages those who seek to offend and demonise Christianity to continue unhindered”, he said.