The Paris Olympics 2024 organizing committee has apologised to Catholics and other Christian groups upset by something that happened at the opening ceremony.
biblical scene backlash, ”sorry.”
A parody of a biblical scene on the banks of the Seine River claims to explain Dionysus and make people more aware of “the absurdity of violence between humans,” as the organizers wrote on X.
However, the committee had to say sorry because the performance made Catholics, Christian groups, and conservative politicians all over the world very angry.
The apology
🇫🇷 The organizing committee of the Paris Olympics apologised: “Of course, there was no intention to show disrespect to any religious group…On the contrary, I think that Thomas Jolly (the director of the ceremony – Ed.) wanted to celebrate tolerance in society; these were his words, and judging by the audience figures, this goal was achieved.
If anyone was offended by this, we are very sorry, ” said Anne Descamps, director of communications for the Games organizing committee.
France secularism history
While France has a strong Catholic history, it also has a long history of secularism and opposition to religion.
Many people think that blasphemy is an integral part of freedom of speech and that it is legal to say it.
Those who saw the tableau’s message of acceptance and tolerance were praised.
In France, the Catholic church said it was sad that the ceremony “included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity.”
Catholic priests speak out.
Monsignor Emmanuel Gobilliard, who was sent to the Games by the French bishops, said that the controversy had made it hard for some French athletes to sleep.
Archbishop Charles Scicluna, the most important Catholic leader in Malta, who works for the Vatican’s powerful doctrinal office, said he had complained about the “gratuitous insult” to France’s ambassador in Valletta.
According to the conference of Italian bishops, what was supposed to be a celebration of French culture turned “unexpectedly negative.” It became a parade of silly mistakes and tired, predictable ideas.
“Don’t take us for moralistic bigots,” said an article in Avvenire, a daily Italian newspaper connected to the Catholic church. “What’s the point of having to experience every global event, even a sporting one, as if it were a Gay Pride?”
The section was called “squalid” by Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party in Giorgia Meloni’s coalition government. “Dear French, starting the Olympics by making fun of billions of Christians around the world was a terrible idea,” he said.
Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister, talked about the “moral void of the West.”
The artistic director of the showy opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, said his goal was never to offend religious people. “We wished to talk about being different.”
Being diverse means getting along. That’s all we wanted: everyone to be a part of it, he said on Saturday.
Read more latest news on News As It Happens.
