WCC news: In lead-up to Olympics, Paris churches are showing they care

With the 2024 Summer Olympics set to begin in Paris on 26 July, churches are extending a caring welcome to athletes and spectators alike.  Marcelo Schneider/WCC 26 July 2024 As all eyes are on the performance of athletes, their spiritual needs are often overlooked. Rev. Jean-Raymond Stauffacher, general secretary of the Protestant Federation of France, highlighted the importance of spiritual accompaniment, noting that over 9,000 of the 13,000 athletes have expressed the value of such support.  To meet this need, French Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant chaplains will work alongside Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist counterparts in an inter-religious tent set up by the French Olympic Committee. General Jean-Fred Berger, chair of the chaplaincy commission for the Protestant Federation of France, emphasized, “This ecumenical aspect is very important for us. We think sharing this common space is a significant step.” From prayers to pop-up cafes The Council of Christian Churches in France called for a collective prayer for Paris 2024, inviting Christians worldwide to seek divine guidance and blessings for the Olympic Games. Their official “Prayer for Paris 2024 Olympic Games” encapsulates the spirit of the event: “May this event be organised in joy, peace, and fellowship. Pour out your Holy Spirit on all those working towards the Paris Games, on all the people coming from the four corners of the earth, and on the athletes.” French churches will be showcasing faith's power to unite people and foster community and goodwill—and peace is a central theme. Parish halls are bustling with exhibitions, pop-up cafés are ready to welcome visitors, and many churches have opened their doors to screen Olympic events. A “Holy Games” initiative from the Catholic Church in France features music, festivals, and prayer vigils open to all. A “Go+” initiative from evangelical churches is inviting pastors, community leaders, athletes, and volunteers to come together to explore what they we do together so that the Olympic Games benefit the Kingdom of God. Churches are sharing the hope that the games promoting unity and support within the athletic community. In 2015, an exceptional religious celebration took place in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to coincide with the UN climate talks COP21. Organised by the Christian Council of Churches in France, the event brought together Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Evangelical and Orthodox clergy and faithful.  Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC A cup of water Leonie Schäfer, experienced in coordinating church initiatives at previous Olympic Games, highlighted the importance of offering simple amenities like water refill stations and toilet facilities to visitors in busy areas. This gift of hospitality guarantees that the welcoming attitude and care pervades all aspects of the games.  In May, as the Olympic flame arrived in France, an ecumenical festival at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium celebrated sport and unity. This event showcased the diverse and multicultural nature of Christianity in Paris, with athletes and football stars discussing their faith and choirs singing in various languages and traditions. The participation of Evangelical, Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran-reformed Protestant churches underscored the Olympic spirit of unity and mutual respect. At La Madeleine Church, Catholic Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich led a mass to mark the beginning of the “Olympic Truce” on 19 July, which will last until 15 September. Addressing a congregation that included numerous ambassadors, he quoted Pope Francis: “Sport is an international language which transcends borders, languages, races, nationalities, and religions,” and added, “Unfortunately, the ongoing wars do not end during the games, but the desire for peace spreads through the encounters they allow in these sporting events.” Pope Francis has expressed his warmest greetings and prayers for the Mass of Peace ahead of the Paris Games, hoping that the great international sports event will foster peace and solidarity in a world in critical need. "I ask the Lord to bestow His gifts upon all those who will participate in any way—whether athletes or spectators—and also to support and bless those who will host them, especially the faithful of Paris and elsewhere," Pope Francis said. Vibrant diversity  Just a short walk from the French capital’s iconic Eiffel tower, the nondenominational American Church in Paris hosted a multi-denominational Protestant service broadcast on national television, where Rev. Elizabeth Murray echoed the call for peace and the significance of the Olympic truce. Pastor Eric Pires Antunes, director of Psalt College, though not an Olympian, has been tirelessly training in his own right. He has orchestrated the multicultural, inter-confessional “Salty Choir” especially for the Olympics. This choir, comprising members from over 20 different churches and singing in 15 languages, will perform at the Paris Praise Festival during the first week of the games. "I am looking forward to seeing everyone wearing their traditional national costumes at the first concert," Antunes enthused, embodying the vibrant diversity that the Olympics bring. Beyond honouring athletic excellence, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will showcase the strength of harmony, camaraderie and faith. The churches, in their hymns of gratitude and prayers, remind us that underneath the thrill of competition, the Olympic Games are really about the coming together of different peoples and cultures in a spirit of goodwill and peace. Protestant Federation of France 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