On Monday, the Orthodox Bishops of France issued a statement regarding the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, expressing their shared concerns about certain artistic elements that “offended the sensitivity of Christian citizens in France and beyond.”
The hierarchs also commended the security efforts ensuring the smooth conduct of the events and reaffirmed “the importance of respecting the values and beliefs of all components of French society, without invective or provocation and, above all, without distinction and/or discrimination between those who believe and those who do not believe.”
“France has given the world something truly magnificent and unprecedented! While the overall organization of this international event hosted by our country and the dedication of the security forces to ensure its safety are to be commended, several aspects of the ceremony have offended the sensitivity of Christian citizens in France and beyond,” stated the Orthodox Bishops of France.
Commitment to Fundamental Values
Reaffirming their dedication to the fundamental values of society, the hierarchs emphasized certain inalienable principles.
“The Orthodox Bishops of France reaffirm their full commitment to freedom of expression and artistic creation, which are limited only by the norms of French law. However, they stress the vital importance of respecting the values and beliefs of all components of French society, without invective or provocation and, above all, without distinction and/or discrimination between those who believe and those who do not. The State is the guarantor of this, especially when it involves an artistic performance presented on behalf of France and involving the Republic.”
Addressing Provocation and Subversion
The bishops highlighted the need for corrective action regarding the perceived subversive elements of the ceremony.
“Beyond what could be perceived as a subversive attack on values, Christian faith, and its representations, what requires corrective action by the authorities is the excess, provocation, and subversion that certain representations induce, which continue to arouse indignation and controversy.”
Appeal to Authorities
The Orthodox Bishops of France called on the highest authorities to address these concerns and ensure respect for the values foundational to French coexistence.
“While welcoming the other unprecedented aspects of this international event, which France has honored, the Orthodox Bishops of France call on the highest authorities of our country to correct this deficiency and to continue to ensure respect for the values and foundations of coexistence in France, in accordance with the spirit of republican secularism, which implies respect for all.”
“They state that although the Church does not see itself as a universal society that seeks to impose its standards on the whole of society, but as a Church that respects the institutions of our Republic and is in open dialogue with society, it nevertheless refuses to accept the imposition of standards that call into question its own values, the foundations of its faith, and its representation.”
Source: Basilica.ro
