Why the Catholic response to the Olympic controversy was so intense

Christians of various denominations have said they were offended by the Olympic opening ceremony. But Catholics experience a heightened degree of offence, explains Gavin Ashenden 

Following the widely-publicised furore over the Olympic opening ceremony, I found myself being interviewed on TV, alongside an atheist and a Muslim cleric.

It was something of a surprise and a delight when I saw the Muslim participant so enthused by part of my response that he began clapping enthusiastically.

It is clear that those who were offended by the ceremony came from a wide variety of backgrounds. Even within Christianity, the responses have been different.

The Protestant objection has already been neatly articulated in this publication by Graham Nichols. But the Catholic response has been even more intense. This is why.