Cardinal Napier, photo courtesy of CHURCH ON THE BALL
Friday was an epic sports day for sports fans all over the world. In Chicago, we celebrated the Blackhawks Stanley Cup win with a parade unlike any before. But as one news commentator pointed out, the city of Chicago came together for a celebration only to divide an hour later as the crosstown series, Cubs vs. White Sox began. The camaraderie and competition was so contagious that even an incredibly crowded EL ride was enjoyable. And to top off that excitement, the world counted down to the beginning of the World Cup.
Watching sports can be more than just a hobby, it can be a great teacher on some of life’s greatest lessons, like humility and forgiveness in the face of injustice.
The World Cup, hosted in South Africa, presents similar opportunities this week, opportunities to unite and forgive past transgressions. As many know thanks to the movie “Inviticus,” the World Cup was a pivotal event in South Africa’s history post apartheid.
After Nelson Mandela won South Africa’s first fully representative democratic election, his decision as president to build up and support the hated Springboks rugby team was strongly protested by his own staffers. The Sprinboks represented apartheid to the African majority, and Mandela’s decision amounted to reconciling with the enemy. ‘We have to surprise them with compassion’ Mandela (or Morgan Freeman, who played him) told the protestors. ‘We have to show restraint and generosity. Forgiveness liberates the soul. It is a powerful weapon.’
It’s been more than a decade since the apartheid ended, but as one can imagine struggle still exists in South Africa. The Catholic Church in South Africa is utilizing the events of the World Cup to promote forgiveness, respect, and dignity for all human life. They’ve created a website: CHURCH ON THE BALL which highlights the lessons that can be gained from this world event.
Sport requires patience, perseverance, respect … all values which our societies, and particularly Africa, much need! All values that the Church does not cease to advocate: Charity, dialogue with other religions and cultures, love of neighbour …
Let us seize this opportunity to offer the world an example of a living church and sports. Let us not be afraid to move forward, has often recalled John Paul II. Let us not be afraid to go full tilt, with faith and courage as athletes!
You will find here regularly updated information regarding the parishes nearby the stadiums where matches will be played, various events offered by the Church, the most important spiritual sites not to miss, as well as reflections on human trafficking, HIV & AIDS, Sport and the Church, etc.
Remember that the only true victory is one that enshrines the dignity of the person!
And Cardinal Napier, Archbishop of Durban, of course encourage South Africa’s own team, Bafana, and it’s fans onward to victory, both on the field and in the pursuit for the dignity of life.
The collective breath of a nation is held for them all. Bafana, we want you to be the best. We want you to dispel all the past negativity. We know that you will surprise us all. Halala (Good luck) Bafana!
I also wish to celebrate the final arrival of the World Cup on our soil. It has been many years of waiting and now the moment is here. The stadiums are ready, the infrastructure is prepared, but the most important participants are the people of South Africa. Let us welcome our visitors and take this opportunity to meet and encounter the world and each other.
Let us not be the same when the world cup is over! Let us all have learned about and shared a wider world. Halala South Africa!
Let us also make sure that our children and other vulnerable groups are safe. This World Cup is about how much we can learn – but shouldn’t be at the cost of human beings being unscrupulously used, traded or trafficked and discarded.
I wish all the fans, players, coaches, staff and organisers well for the tournament. I particularly commend all the volunteers who will make the world feel at home.
South Africa, let us welcome the world, encounter the world, learn from the world so that the world will know that we remain the Rainbow nation, diverse and united.
While the world holds their breath, hoping their favorite team continues forward, we stand united in our love of sport, competition, and nationalism. May that unity promote respect, charity, and goodwill to all.