"God answers my prayers everywhere except on the golf-course."
Sport an Educational and Pastoral challenge
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Seminar of study on the theme of sport chaplains Vatican, 7-8 September 2007 LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA 2008
In 2005 The Vatican organized a seminar on sport, producing The World of sport today: A field of Christian mission, Libreria Editrica Vaticana, 2006 Read review. This book arises from a seminar of study on the theme of sport chaplains Vatican, 7-8 September 2007.
The first thing to say is that it is really encouraging that the Vatican is continuing to encourage theological thinking with application to sport. On many occasions reading the book my heart echoed a loud amen, for example: "the world of sport can best be transformed from within by the testimony of sports men and women who profoundly live their faith in Jesus Christ". (Stanislaw Card Page 11)
- "an appeal for a greater theological appreciation and grounding of the vast and complex phenomenon of sport is much desired". (Carlo Mazza Page 55)
- "if this pastoral care is to survive, it needs to be continually nourished by systematic theological investigation regarding the most pertinent issues". (Carlo Mazza Page 55)
- "The 'world of sport' is ever more in need of a 'sports culture orientated by Christian principles' as we firmly believe that only a well inspired 'culture' can impact sport with Christian values.î (Carlo Mazza Page 55)
- "the vast world of sport is a great frontier for the new evangelization, and these major sporting events form the many ëaeropagií of contemporary culture". (Kevin Lixey Page 70)
- "sport is still waiting for the arrival of the new missionary impulse". (Kevin Lixey Page 70)
- "Sport can only escape from this crisis imposed upon it by the 'dictatorship of relativism' only if the world of sport learns how to open up to God, the only one who can guarantee the authentic values of life and human relations". (Josef Clemens Page 83)
As may be implied by the quotes above, I resonated with much of Carlo Mazza's arguments in his chapter The pastoral ministry of sport: taking stock and looking ahead (Pages 31-59). He argues for an approach based on five principles:
- theological foundation;
- the anthropological profile;
- the ethical dimension;
- the educational purpose;
- spirituality in the world of sport.
His theology is based on the body, the human person, the image of God (Page 36ff). I would have like to see him write more on theology and indeed answer his own question about the need for "a greater theological appreciation".
He finishes the chapter with a statement to which I could say a resounding "Amen":
"The underlying reason is to be found in the great desire for the 'Gospel' to find a little window or even better, an open door to run its 'course' on the fields where sport is practiced, followed and loved". (Page 59)
The book also gives useful insights into the work of Catholic chaplains at major sports events. See Manfred Paas's summary of what he did as an Olympic chaplain (Page 63-64) and Kevin Lixey on Catholic chaplaincy in 1992 Olympics and the 2006 World Cup. (Pages 75-76). The Panel discussion on Experiences of sport chaplains (Pages 113-137) featuring the chaplains to the Philadephia Eagles, Besca FC, Mexico in 2006 football World Cup, Lazio FC, Grenoble Rugby Club and the Polish Olympic team contains some very useful material. The Panel discussion - what athletes look for in a sport chaplain (Pages 91-110) is disappointing with the exception of Kate Zieglerís contribution.
Pages 141-174 contain a useful systematic collection of Pontifical statements on Sport.
One negative is that the book is written in very stilted English. The phrase "the formation of youth" is used repeatedly - presumably meaning "training young people" Words like "conflictive" and "enkindle" also appear.
Overall a very welcome contribution to theological reflection on sport.