WCC news: On behalf of global Christian fellowship, WCC calls for explanation of Olympics opening ceremony

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in a letter to the International Olympic Committee and the French Olympic Committee, urgently called for an explanation of what has been perceived as a depiction of the Last Supper during the Olympics opening ceremony.  Marcelo Schneider/WCC 29 July 2024 “In particular, it has angered many Christians who are disgusted and appalled by the mockery of the Christian faith as depicted in what is considered to be a portrayal of the Lord's Last Supper,” wrote Pillay. “The World Council of Churches would like you to explain to us in detail the use of this idea and whether it was intended in any way to refer to the Christian faith.” Pillay reflected that the Last Supper is essential to Christian beliefs and practice and any form of mockery shows the highest form of disrespect and insensitivity.  “The WCC is represented by 352 member churches with over 600 million Christians in the world,” Pillay wrote. “As the largest ecumenical fellowship in the world, we have a responsibility to respond to the concerns of Christians raised about the perceived mockery of the Christian faith in the Last Supper scene in the ceremony, and thus request your immediate response to our request.” Read the full letter "In lead-up to Olympics, Paris churches are showing they care" - WCC feature story, 25 July 2024) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland