Catholic bishops from around the world denounced the drag-queen parody of “The Last Supper” during the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony Friday, accusing the Games of making a “mockery of Christianity.”

The Bishops’ Conference of France condemned what was widely viewed as a takeoff on the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, criticizing the “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore.”

“We thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity. This morning, we think of all Christians on all continents who have been hurt by the outrage and provocation of certain scenes,” the bishops said in a Saturday statement, as translated by the Catholic News Agency.

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Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester in Minnesota called the spectacle “this gross mockery of ‘The Last Supper’” and accused organizers of a religious double standard.

A spokesperson for the Paris Olympics told The Washington Times, “Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect toward any religious group or belief. On the contrary, each of the tableaux in the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony was intended to celebrate community and tolerance.”

The spokesperson added that Thomas Jolly, the opening ceremony’s director, “took inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting to create the setting. He is not the first artist to make a reference to what is a world-famous work of art. From Andy Warhol to the Simpsons, many have done it before him.”

Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester in Minnesota was having none of it. He called the spectacle “this gross mockery of ‘The Last Supper’” and accused organizers of a religious double standard.

“Would they ever have dared mock Islam in a similar way? Would they have ever dreamed of mocking in this gross public way a scene from the Koran? We all know the answer to that,” Bishop Barron said in a video post on X. “This deeply secularist post-modern society knows who its enemy is. They’re naming it. And we should believe them.”

He said, “We Christians and Catholics should not be sheepish. We should resist. We should make our voices heard.”

Bishop David Ricken, who leads the Diocese of Green Bay in Wisconsin, called Bishop Barron’s analysis “spot on.”

My brother bishop’s analysis of the Olympic #OpeningCeremony is spot on. Together, let’s #PrayForParis and take it all to the Lord. https://t.co/huQzCmD0da

— Bishop David Ricken (@BpDavidRicken) July 27, 2024

Malta’s Archbishop Charles Scicluna on Saturday said he sent two messages to the French ambassador to Malta “expressing my distress and disappointment of many Christians at the gratuitous insult to the Eucharist during the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

The renowned painting depicts Christ and the 12 disciples sharing the bread and wine before His betrayal, trial and crucifixion.

The performance at the Olympics’ opening ceremony featured a woman wearing a halo crown seated at a long table flanked by a dozen drag entertainers and one child, a scene that appeared to mirror the renowned painting.

The show’s organizers haven’t commented publicly on the blowback, but the Games’ English X account said: “WOW! What an incredible #Olympics Opening Ceremony at #Paris2024! Which moment was your favourite?”

The first reply said: “I’m fairly certain it was the exclusion & putting all Christians (31% of the World population by the way) on notice that they aren’t welcome @OlympicsParis!”

Christians weren’t the only ones offended. “Even as a Jew, I am infuriated by this outrageous insult to Jesus and Christianity,” said Eli David, a leading artificial intelligence researcher, on X. “How do you feel about it as Christians?”

The Washington Times reached out to the Olympic organizers for comment.