Olympic Organizing Committee attempts to apologize for 'Last Supper' parody
Anne Descamps, Director of Communications for the Games Organizing Committee. Photo: Screenshot from IOC Media video
The opening ceremony of the Olympics was criticized for its parody of 'The Last Supper'. In response to the backlash, the Paris Olympics Organizing Committee stated that they did not intend to offend anyone but did achieve their goal. This was stated by Anne Descamps, Director of Communications for the Olympic Games Organizing Committee, at a briefing on July 28.
"Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think that Thomas Jolly (the ceremony director) really tried to celebrate community's tolerance; that was his word yesterday, and looking at the result of the post that we shared, that ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence, we are, of course, really very sorry," said Descamps.
As the UOJ previously reported, the French Episcopate of the Roman Catholic Church expressed regret over the scenes of "mockery and derision of Christians." Many well-known political and public figures from around the world expressed outrage over this parody. Due to the blasphemy at the Olympics, companies have begun pulling out their advertisements from the Olympics.
On Sunday, it became known that the video with highlights of the opening ceremony was removed from the official Olympic website and YouTube channel.
Read also
Ukraine recognizes Bukovyna’s Easter ritual bread as part of cultural heritage
The status of intangible heritage has been granted to Bukovyna’s traditional Easter baking, with its regional forms and accompanying rites.
Macedonian Primate on Russia–Ukraine war: We see suffering brothers
Archbishop Stefan called on Christians to see in their adversaries suffering brothers and to be peacemakers.
Pope Leo condemns restrictions on freedom of speech and religion in the West
The pontiff pointed to the replacement of fundamental freedoms with ideological prescriptions in contemporary Western societies.
UOC Protection Monastery hosts “Bible Experts” Olympiad in Hoshcha town
An intellectual competition for Sunday school pupils brought together children and clergy of the Rivne Eparchy during the Christmas season.
Photos of damaged UOC church in Kostiantynivka appear online
Photo materials from the combat zone show the condition of a church in Kostiantynivka, where the humanitarian and military situation remains extremely difficult.
In Chernivtsi, 1,000 UOC faithful gather for Christmas evening of carols
Christmas chant and shared prayer united the laity and clergy of the UOC in Bukovyna’s principal church.