The ancient Greeks developed sporting events and the Olympics as a training device for soldiers to keep them strong, in shape, and maintain their edge.
But anyone who has played a sport–especially as a professional–knows the amount of time and dedication it takes to compete at that level. So, now the Vatican has ambitions for its seminarians to compete in European competition!
“I do not preclude the possibility that the Vatican could in the future put together a football team of great value that could play on the same level as Roma, Inter Milan, Genoa or Sampdoria,” (Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State and #2 to the Pope) said. “Just think of all the Brazilian or African students who attend seminaries or pontifical universities. We could put together a magnificent team.”
Matter of fact, the Cardinal has actually, “drawn up plans for a training scheme to nurture future stars and (has) appointed Renzo Ulivieri, a former manager of Sampdoria and Parma, as Vatican City trainer.”
HOLY SMOKE!!!
What’s the purpose of these seminarians competing at this high level of sports? Physical exercise and activity is important, yes. But why not focus on leading souls to Christ? Bringing the Sacraments to the people?
One Blogger has a lot to say about it: Let me see if I get this straight… the Roman Catholic Church is rocked (and continues to be) by homosexual priest predators, the faithful continue to desert the pews, nuns and priests have forsaken vocations for the world, and the Vatican Secretary of State is excited about putting together a “magnificent” soccer team??? …Too bad men studying to be priests aren’t more concerned about leading souls to God than to leading teammates to victory on the soccer field.
What’s next? Well, Title IX supporters will want to know why the nuns aren’t playing!
Here’s a portion of an article my husband wrote about sports:
There is no doubt one reason that men are drawn to sport. Sport prepares us for war and defending what ought to be defended. But what is the real purpose of sport? How do we keep it in perspective and to give it proper place and scope for ourselves and in our families? … We have grown (or descended!) into a society that values someone who can nail a jump shot or catch a football more than we value teachers, firemen, or our priests. Our pseudo heroes tend to be uneducated, selfish and all too often unworthy of accolades, while the real heroes toil in obscurity. …Growth in virtue through sport is the goal. But our culture has turned to sport as the mountain top. Virtues have been brushed aside in favor of selfishness, greed, and win-at-all-costs chest thumping.
