ATHENS

A global Christian organization demanded an explanation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the French Olympic Committee for a parody of the Last Supper at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics last week.

World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Jerry Pillay said Monday that the Last Supper is essential to Christian beliefs and practice and any form of a misguided message is unacceptable. “WCC 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,” he said in a statement.

The parody has angered Christians who are disgusted and appalled by the mockery of their faith, he said.

“We would like to receive your response as a matter of urgency so that we can respond to our members and others who have been deeply angered by what they have seen in the presentation at the opening ceremony,” added Pillay.

The opening ceremony drew significant backlash for a drag queen parody of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, which many viewed as disrespectful to religious beliefs.​​​​​​​