Cardinal backs French Bishops’ response to depiction of Last Supper in Olympics Opening Ceremony

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, wrote to Monsignor Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, his counterpart at the Bishops’ Conference of France, to support the French bishops’ statement on the opening ceremony that whilst affirming the values and principles of the Games, expressed deep regret at the “scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity”.

In his letter, Cardinal Nichols noted that the aim of the Olympics was to bring people together in a common ideal, and that the ceremony’s depiction of da Vinci’s Last Supper had caused the opposite.

In response, Archbishop de Moulins-Beaufort, Archbishop of Reims, thanked the Cardinal for the support of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and informed him that his letter had been forwarded to the Olympic Organising Committee.

On Saturday, 3 August, the Holy See expressed its sadness at this depiction during the opening ceremony and joined its voice to others in deploring the offence caused to many Christians and believers of other religions.

In a communiqué, the Holy See said that the performance should not have included “allusions that ridicule the religious convictions of many people.”

The communiqué concluded by stating:

“Freedom of expression, which of course is not in question, finds its limit in respect for others.”

Pic: © Marcin Mazur/CBCEW