UK Bishops invite Catholics to glorify God during Olympics

(July 25, 2012) On the occasion of the Olympic Games starting on Friday in London, the Bishops of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales are calling on Catholics to live a more balanced and environmentally sensitive lifestyle. Over 400,000 leaflets have been distributed to parishes in England and Wales inviting everyone to celebrate the incredible wonder and dignity of their body. The leaflets citing St. Paul say “ use your body for the glory of God." The Catholic Church in Great Britain annually celebrates the “Day for Life,” and this year it highlights the importance of good health, the care of one’s body and the importance of exercise and sporting activities. The event will be celebrated in parishes in England and Wales on Sunday. Proceeds collected from that day will assist the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life-related activities supported by the Church. Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark, head of the Day for Life in England and Wales, commented on the significance of the Olympic Games and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. He said "In the next few weeks we are going to see athletes do the most amazing things. It will be incredible to watch world records being broken; gold medals being won and after years of dedicated training, personal sacrifice and daily discipline, the body performing feats that humanly we would think impossible." The prelate said "This year’s 'Day for Life' reminds us all of the importance of taking care of our bodies at every stage and in every condition – it’s a call 'to use our bodies for the glory of God.”