Olympische Spelen: respect voor elkaars overtuiging

Paris Games : press release from the French Bishops’ Conference and the « Holy games » project

In the run-up to the Paris Games, the Holy Games project, inspired by the Roman Catholic Church, has been mobili­zing a large number of Catholics for almost three years, to share the spor­ting and popular fervor surroun­ding the Paris Games, this magnificent event organized by our country.

Last week, we were delighted to host the ope­ning mass of the Olympic truce, in the presence of numerous religious, political and spor­ting figures.

We believe that the values and principles expressed and disseminated by sport and Olympism contribute to the need for unity and fraternity that our world so despera­tely needs, while respec­ting everyone’s convictions, around the sport that brings us together and promotes peace among nations and hearts.

Last night’s ope­ning ceremony, organized by the French COJOP, offered the world a marvelous display of beauty and joy, rich in emotion and universally acclaimed.

This ceremony unfortuna­tely included scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity, which we deeply regret. We would like to thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us.

This mor­ning, we are thin­king of all the Christians on every continent who have been hurt by the outrageousness and provocation of certain scenes. We want them to understand that the Olympic celebration goes far beyond the ideological biases of a few artists.

Sport is a won­derful human activity that deeply delights the hearts of athletes and spectators alike. Olympism is a move­ment at the service of this reality of human unity and fraternity. Now it’s time to take to the field, and may it bring truth, consolation and joy to all!