‘The Last Supper’: Oyo bishop Badejo condemns offensive Paris Olympics opening ceremony painting
![Paris 2024 Olympics logo](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Artboard-1-77.png)
The Catholic Bishop of Oyo diocese, Emmanuel Badejo, has condemned the recreation of ‘Last Supper’ scene by drag artists and dancers in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Friday, saying it was offensive and disrespectful to Christianity.
“The religious depictions of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting with contemporary ideological figures that are clearly offensive to Christianity at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024 in France is to say the least shocking and disrespectful,” Mr Badejo said in a statement on Tuesday.
Organisers of the Paris Olympics apologised following outcry over parody of the Last Supper scene of Jesus Christ with his 12 disciples — an incident which many Christians around the world consider sacrilegious to the faith.
The scene from the ceremony went viral with Catholic Church and Christian groups, politicians and individuals subsequently condemning the scene depiction which the Olympic organisers claimed was the interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus.
Joining other Christian figures around the world to condemn the incident, Mr Badejo who is also President of the Pan African Episcopal Commission for Social Communications, tagged the move as part of the deliberate attempt in Europe and America to repurpose and cheapen Christian.
“Sadly, it is a perpetration of deliberate ongoing attempts in Europe and America to repurpose and cheapen Christian themes without regard for peace loving Christians who practise and profess their religion in peace,” the 63-year-old clergyman said.
“That this decadent caricature of one of the most cherished events of Christianity is publicised in France, a country with a rich and old Christian heritage, and at the Olympic games, detracts from the status of the Olympics and belies all claims to enduring civility and respect for freedom of religion in the West.”
He said “Christians should exercise their right of outrage and boycott to the extent that the damage already caused can be mitigated and redressed and future occurrences prevented,” noting that “governing bodies and organisations should take full responsibility for accommodating such insulting, tasteless art.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![Senate President, Godswill Akpabio (Credit: Akwa Ibom state government)](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20231210-202035_WhatsAppBusiness.jpg)
NationWide
No regime change; disgruntled Nigerians free to protest while we continue ‘eating’: Akpabio
Mr Akpabio appealed to Nigerians to give Mr Tinubu’s administration more time so its policies could yield results.
![International Organisation for Migration](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/International-Organisation-for-Migration.png)
States
Edo human trafficking trajectory has reduced significantly: IOM
He stated that IOM had also created awareness against human trafficking to reduce the scourge in the state.
![Nigerian Navy officers and 85 bags of cannabis sativa](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Artboard-1-285.png)
States
Nigerian Navy hands over 85 bags of cannabis sativa to NDLEA
Mr Ahom said the market value of the drugs would be close to N400 million, and its effects on society could be quite devastating.
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Banks-.png)
NationWide
Customers besiege banks for reactivation over CBN’s dormant account policy
Ms Olaedo appealed to banks and the CBN to ensure the safety of customers’ monies, especially those abroad.
![Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3827.jpeg)
States
#EndbadGovernance protest unnecessary; Nigerians should be patient, dialogue with govt: Aiyedatiwa
“Do not underestimate anyone; stay vigilant, engage with the community, and convey to our people that protests are unnecessary; dialogue is the best approach,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.
![Mallam Jalal Arabi](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Mallam-Jalal-Arabi.webp)
Anti-Corruption
EFCC probes NAHCON chair over mismanagement of N90 billion Hajj fund
Mr Arabi was at the office of the EFCC to answer questions on how the commission spent the N90 billion subsidy for the exercise.