The Catholic Church is using the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris to encourage young people – but several popes have already promoted sport as a way of conveying Christian values

While the sports world and fans are waiting for the Opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and that Paralympic Gameseight Catholic dioceses within the greater Paris area have already lit their very own Olympic flame by organizing the “Sacred Games.” The project is a collaboration between the Archdiocese of Paris and the French Bishops' Conference.

The Sacred Games consist of three programs, each lasting per week – two throughout the Olympic Games and the third throughout the Paralympics. The Sacred Games bring together missionaries, Catholics and other spectators to look at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, rejoice Mass and fellowship in various cultural activities.

French church leaders see this initiative as Opportunity to involve young Catholics and others in religious activities. According to La Croix International, a French Catholic newspaper, the Catholic Church in France sees the Olympic Games as a chance to Use the facility of Sport for evangelization.

However, the usage of sport as a way of evangelization is just not a brand new phenomenon for the worldwide Catholic Church. In fact, several Catholic popes have contributed to the event of Catholicism and sport. Doctoral student in sports managementI’m conversant in these historical contributions.

Early posts

The wealthy history between the Catholic Church and sport has been the main target of research for several religious scholars. Dries Vanysacker declared that the Catholic Church all the time shown a priority of sporting activity.

An early but indirect contribution got here from Pope Leo XIII. In a letter to the clergy in 1891, he advocated the rights of employees and identified that employees “should have free time and rest.” In response to this call, Catholic sports organizations began to form within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Pope Pius X made a big contribution by affiliating himself with several sports organizations. In 1905, he welcomed athletes to the Holy See for the primary international gymnastics competition, which within the VaticanIn a speech to the participants, Pius X said: “The material exercises of the body are influence admirably the exercises of the mind.”

Pope Pius XII also emphasized the Spiritual advantages of sportHe saw sport as a option to transmit Christian values ​​and promote the event of spiritual life, especially amongst young people. In a message to Italian athletes in 1945, he wrote: Pius XII said“Sport is a school of loyalty, courage, endurance, determination, universal brotherhood and all natural virtues.”

Vehicle for the event of body and soul

Known as “Athlete Pope”, Pope John Paul II consolidated the Catholic Church’s interest in sport, as he saw sport as Vehicle for the development of body and soul. He The Office for Church and Sports was founded throughout the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The aim of this office was to act as a reference point between the Church and international sports organizations, to advertise a sports culture and to support the study of specific topics and sports.

John Paul II also used sport as a crucial technique of evangelization. He two international sports meetings held during which he spoke to quite a few athletes, sports associations and other leaders of organizations concerning the power of sport. He spoke Athletes in 1991 and said that sport “promotes the orderly and harmonious development of the body in the service of the spirit.”

Sport for Peace

Currently, Pope Francis sees sport as a way of PeacemakingIn a video address before the opening of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Francis said “Sport is a school of peace. It teaches us to create peace.”

In 2016, Francis founded the movement “Sport at the Service of Humanity”, which goals to make use of sport as a catalyst for Peace and social change. The principal purpose of the organization is to bring together leaders from sports, business, science, media and other religious areas for an annual conference. The 2024 conference, held at Creighton University In June the main target was on athlete support.

As the French capital prepares to host the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, the secular world will give attention to the sporting competitions, athletic achievements and medal hunts. The French Catholic Church, meanwhile, will proceed to give attention to its evangelical efforts, as over 70 parishes near the Olympic venues will welcome visitors and Celebrating in multiple languages.