2011-04-05 11:11:01

Vatican and Sport


A new book with the title “Sport in the Vatican” by Stefano and Roberto Calvigioni was presented on Monday at the offices of Vatican Radio. The book looks at the attention the Church has taken to sport, and what role it plays in the life and formation of people. “Pope John Paul II…would almost deem sport as a sign of the times,” says Fr. Kevin Lixey, LC, the director of the Church and Sport office at the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which was established by the late Pope.

He spoke at the event presenting the book. He said Pope John Paul II had a strong view on sport in society. “It is something we need as the Church to be concerned with – to help enlighten it, to be a part of it, not to run from it,” he told Vatican Radio. The office of Church and Sport looks at intellectual issues, such as what is sport, and how does it effect society. At the same time, it meets with top level athletes, and learns what special challenges they face in their spiritual life.

“If you look at an athlete who is taken from their home environment at an early age and set on a professional track, maybe away from their family, and then given a chance of success where they are thrown a bunch of money and a bunch of fame, and then told to do what is right – a professional athlete has many challenges,” he pointed out.

Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Father Kevin Lixey: RealAudioMP3








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