By Juliana Uzoka

Vatican has expressed sadness over the assault inflicted on the Christian faithful during the July 26 Olympic opening ceremony that blasphemed Jesus Christ, in the grotesque parody of the Last Supper.

Denouncing the scene, the Holy See in a statement released on Saturday to journalists said it “was saddened by certain scenes at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games and cannot but join the voices raised in recent days to deplore the offense done to many Christians and believers of other religions.”

The act that drew widespread condemnation globally, outraged Christians and Muslims, and people of other faith, who critiqued the thoughtless charade the organizers claimed was for “the Greek god Dionysus,” meant to raise awareness “of the absurdity of violence between human beings.”

In its response to the sacrilege, the Vatican further stated that:” In a prestigious event where the whole world comes together around common values, there should not be allusions ridiculing the religious convictions of many people.”

Vatican renounced the spectacle dramatized by drag queens portraying the apostles, featuring a lesbian DJ as Jesus in mock display at the event which Christians and those who share in their sentiments argued disparaged the acclaimed painting of the Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci.

In its remark, the Holy See reiterated “Freedom of expression, which is obviously not called into question, finds its limit in respect for others.”

Catholic News Agency reports that the statement came on the heels of an open letter published by Catholic bishops globally in a consensus on Friday, demanding from the organizers of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to “repudiate” and “apologize” for the “intentionally hateful mockery” of the Last Supper.

Deploring the offensive ceremony which gulped 1.5-billion-euro (about $1.62 billion) to kick off the 2024 Summer Olympic games, in the letter signed by three cardinals and 24 bishops, the prelates expressed dismay that “It is hard to understand how the faith of over 2 billion people can be so casually and intentionally blasphemed.”

The Cardinals who led the team: Cardinal Raymond Leo Burk; Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier, OFM; and Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, CM, also called on Christians to pray and fast in reparation for the blasphemy.

According to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church:” Blasphemy involves uttering words of hatred or defiance against God, misusing His name, or showing disrespect towards sacred things. It is viewed as a mortal sin, particularly when it is deliberate and conscious. However, expressions made in anger or habitually may not always constitute grave sin if there is no intent or awareness of the offense.”

Likewise, the Canon Law stipulates that:” Individuals who publicly utter blasphemy or express contempt against religion or the Church are subject to just penalties. This reflects the Church’s commitment to uphold moral standards and protect the sanctity of the faith.”

Nypost  reported that the officials of the Olympic had denied that the performance was based on Davinci’s biblical painting but it was later blamed on the artistic director Thomas Jolly’s inspiration.

Although organizers rendered an apology, there was no indication of a remorse as one of the performers, a former “Drag Race France” champion, Hugo Bardin said she “had no regrets about the ceremony,” stating further that “we have been accused of trying to impose our vision on the world.”

Defending her freedom of expression, she said “We just want to let people know that we have a place in the world, and we are claiming that place.”

Reacting further in a report by skynews,  the French DJ and producer, Barbara Butch who wore the halo depicting Jesus in the performance in a ceremony that outraged the world, claimed she had been receiving death threats, torture and rape after her role in the incident. A development the Paris prosecutor office said they were investigating alongside Thomas Jolly and other organizers who claimed to receive similar threats online.

The outrage that gathered more denunciation was described as “deeply deplorable derision of Christianity,” by Bishops and prominent prelates from around the world in solidarity with the French Bishop’s Conference and U.S. bishops.

The French bishops expressed deep regret over “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore.” A statement released on the 27^th of July affirmed.

While expressing gratitude to member of other religious denominations, who joined in the condemnation of the lewd scene” This morning, we think of all Christians on all continents who have been hurt by the outrage and provocation of certain scenes.” He said.

“Jesus experienced his passion anew Friday night [July 26] in Paris when his Last Supper was publicly defamed.” Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chair of the U.S bishop’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, said in a statement.

Recalling the impact of the recently concluded National Eucharistic Congress, Cozzens noted that “France and the entire world are saved by the love poured out through the Mass, which came to us through the Last Supper. Inspired by many martyrs who shed their blood to witness to the truth of the Mass, we will not stand aside and quietly abide as the world mocks our greatest gift from the Lord Jesus.”

A sports personality, Javier Tebas Medrano, president of La Liga, Spain’s top professional football division, vented his disappointment on the imagery which he shared on social media describing it as “Unacceptable, disrespectful, infamous! Using the image of the Last Supper in the Paris Olympic Games is an insult to those of us who are Christians. Where is the respect for religious beliefs?”  

CNA reports that Muslim leaders joined their voices in condemning the sacrilege that shocked Christians and others around the world.

Jesus is a respected figure in Islam, said the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, deploring the “insults” targeted at Christ.

While his counterpart, Turkish President Tayyi Erdogan said that that was “immorality committed against the Christian world.” Adding that the “disgraceful scene in Paris offended not only the Catholic world, not only the Christian world, but also us as much as them.”

Muslims do not recognize the divinity of Jesus but do reverence him as a prophet.

“No shot happens by accident.” Religion unplugged stated. Further countering the denial by the organizers, the source said “ I see the held shot at the beginning as an obvious nod to da Vinci. Whether intended to evoke or provoke, the framers of this moment knew what they were doing.”

The central message of Jesus’ Passover with His disciples referenced in Luke 22:15 accentuated “suffering” and an act of love to be remembered till the end of time.

The allegory of the Paris Olympic dramatization that ridiculed the Last Supper coincided with the statement attributed to the Gospel of John that highlighted what was to come next: betrayal, denial and persecution – and these had taken place by those who claim to be none believers.