As I watched in anticipation the Opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics held on the Seine River, which featured 6,800 athletes parading along a 6-kilometer route in 85 boats. I was just shocked in seeing a depiction of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper” with a “drag queen” performance which for me was totally disrespectful to Catholics religious beliefs. In the words of Bishop Robert Barron, “France felt evidently, as it’s trying to put its best cultural foot forward, the right thing to do is to mock this very central moment in Christianity, where Jesus at His Last Supper gives His body and blood in anticipation of the cross. And so, it’s presented though as this gross sort of flippant mockery”.

Such tableau which allegedly depicts inclusivity and tolerance falls short in its execution. In such an international event, “religious sensibilities” must be well balanced in order unify rather than divide. Honestly, I do not think blasphemy is an essential pillar of the freedom of speech — a sad reality for country such as France with such a rich Catholic heritage. In solidarity with the French Bishops’ Conference, allow me share with you their official pastoral statement on this matter:

In the run-up to the Paris Games, the Holy Games project, inspired by the Roman Catholic Church, has been mobilizing a large number of Catholics for almost three years, to share the sporting and popular fervor surrounding the Paris Games, this magnificent event organized by our country.

Last week, we were delighted to host the opening mass of the Olympic truce, in the presence of numerous religious, political and sporting figures. We believe that the values and principles expressed and disseminated by sport and Olympism contribute to the need for unity and fraternity that our world so desperately needs, while respecting everyone’s convictions, around the sport that brings us together and promotes peace among nations and hearts.

Last night’s opening ceremony, organized by the French COJOP, offered the world a marvelous display of beauty and joy, rich in emotion and universally acclaimed. This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity, which we deeply regret. We would like to thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us.

This morning, we are thinking of all the Christians on every continent who have been hurt by the outrageousness and provocation of certain scenes. We want them to understand that the Olympic celebration goes far beyond the ideological biases of a few artists. Sport is a wonderful human activity that deeply delights the hearts of athletes and spectators alike. Olympism is a movement at the service of this reality of human unity and fraternity. Now it’s time to take to the field, and may it bring truth, consolation and joy to all!

In addition to what the French Bishops’ Conference said, let me highlight that the Olympic Charter that codifies the fundamental principles of Olympism; and the rules and bylaws adopted by the International Olympic Committee, states that, “The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” As such, how do you think such display of disrespect (no matter how “artistic” it can be) preserve harmonious relationships when clearly feelings were not taken into full consideration. Your freedom of expression ends when the freedom of another begins.

The organizers of the show said it was a modern take on the Greek god Dionysus, meant to show “the absurdity of violence between human beings.” But, a lot of people watching the event (either online or on-air) thought it was a clear affront and witticism about certain religious views; and as such has no place in an Olympic Event trying to foster collaboration and harmony through sports.

ON A SEPARATE NOTE: Allow me acknowledge and cheer our Paris Olympics’ Team Philippines delegation which is so far the biggest the country has sent to the Summer Games since Barcelona in 1992. Mabuhay — EJ Obiena (athletics, pole vault); Lauren Hoffman (athletics, 400m hurdles);John Cabang Tolentino (athletics, 110m hurdles); Carlo Paalam (boxing); Nesthy Petecio (boxing); Eumir Marcial (boxing); Hergie Bacyadan (boxing); Aira Villegas (boxing); Carlos Yulo (gymnastics); Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics); Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics); Levi Ruivivar (gymnastics); Bianca Pagdanganan (golf); Dottie Ardina (golf); Samanthan Catantan (fencing); Kiyomi Watanabe (judo); Jarod Hatch (swimming); Kayla Noelle Sanchez (swimming); Joanie Delgaco (rowing); Elreen Ando (weightlifting); John Ceniza (weightlifting); and Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting).

To conclude allow me to quote Pope Francis when he said that Sports is “meeting place where people of all levels and social conditions come together to reach a common aim. It is a privileged area around which people meet without any distinction of race, sex, religion, or ideology. It’s where we can experience the joy of competing to reach a goal together, participating in a team, where success or defeat is shared and overcome”.

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AUTHOR PROFILE

Bro. Clifford T. Sorita