Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Montevideo (Agenzia Fides) – “Fans, players, coaches, journalists, sponsors and symbols from many different countries meeting on the streets and the stadiums of South Africa, are rivalling the United Nations”: said a letter to local Catholics by Bishop Pablo Galimberti of the diocese of Salto in Uruguay, a copy of which was sent to Fides. The Bishop's letter, issued on the occasion of the World Football Cup matches in South Africa, is a testimony of the value of sport.
“The game is competition, risk, simulation, and the adversary is a challenge, an obstacle to overcome. No one is out of the game and we all feel part of the movement, whether in a stadium, in social action or in the solitude of every day” Bishop Galimberti, affirms and continues: “Important public games in the past had considerable social and psychological influence. They helped create civic and national sentiment. They united the community, affecting private and public life distinguishing the life style from that of 'barbarians'. In the past, while Games took place, wars, executions and even judiciary arrests were suspended. It was a time of treaty. Days dedicated in general to the gods, patrons of cities and confederations”.
Bishop Galimberti writes: “The games can also assume the value of an offering. The players compete with ability and effort and this consumption of energy, fatigue, sweat and tears can be dedicated as an offering to a loved one, or to a Superior Being. This can happen at the end of a match when the winner dedicates the victory to his mother or to God. Let's hope we will see some of this in the days to come.” (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 12/06/2010)
