CONTROVERSY OVER 'LAST SUPPER' PARODY AT PARIS OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics has sparked controversy after featuring a parody of the 'Last Supper' that many found offensive, involving drag queens. More than a dozen drag queens posed along a table in a scene reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting depicting Jesus' final meal with his disciples before his execution.

The scene, broadcast live on Friday evening from a rain-soaked Paris, showed the drag queens moving suggestively along the table on either side of a woman appearing to represent Jesus. The woman stood still in the center, wearing a headpiece resembling a halo and holding her hands in a heart shape.

This performance has triggered a strong backlash on social media, with many criticizing it as offensive and inappropriate, particularly for seemingly involving a child.

Reactions from Religious Figures and the Public

Gavin Calver, CEO of the UK Evangelical Alliance, stated that while he hoped the Paris Olympics would be a success, he found the depiction "utterly insensitive, unnecessary, and offensive." Calver wrote on X, "It was appalling to see Christianity so openly mocked in the opening ceremony with the unbelievably crass portrayal of the Last Supper."

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who recently called himself a "cultural Christian," also responded on X, calling the performance "extremely disrespectful to Christians," and adding that "Christianity has become toothless."

Some social media commentators labeled the scene as "woke," while others argued that the organizers would not have mocked Islam in a similar manner.

 Views from American Catholic Bishop

American Catholic Bishop Robert Barron called the performance a "gross mockery of the Last Supper" and questioned why France felt the need to "mock this very central moment in Christianity" on an occasion meant to showcase the best of the country's culture. Barron added that French culture "is very much grounded in Christianity."

"Would they ever dare to mock Islam in a similar way? Would they ever dream of mocking a scene from the Quran in such a gross, public manner? As I say, we all know the answer to that," he said in a video posted on X.

Call for a Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury

Podcaster Rev Daniel French responded to Bishop Barron's post by calling for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to issue a similar statement. "The opening Olympic ceremony mocked Christianity and the Last Supper in a way it never would have for any other religion," he said.

This controversy continues to be a hot topic on social media, sparking debates about the boundaries between art and respect for religious beliefs.