Berlin, Germany, Mar 21, 2006 / 22:00 pm
As sports fans around the world gear up for this year’s World Cup soccer tournament, which will take place around Germany from June 9th to July 9th, the German Catholic Church has announced a series of activities and initiatives for the gathering world crowd.
The Church has set up a website highlighting the different initiatives, which can be visited at http://www.kirche-am-ball.de, meaning the “Church at the ball.”
The site offers a wide view of what the Church will be offering for the world cup, as well as a listing of parishes in each city where games will be played. Different information sites, charity organizations, and various religious communities will offer reflections and pastoral activities.
“In her way, the Church is willing to contribute to what is the slogan of this sport event, “Welcome the world as friends,” said Cardinal Karl Lehman, president of the German Bishops conference.
He boasted the contribution of more than 480 parishes which will open their doors for foreign speaking Catholics, as well as priests who will be available for teams and fans.
An Ecumenical celebration is planned for the opening of the World Cup, on June 9th at the Cathedral Our Lady in Munich, Bavaria.
“We wish to pray to God for the success of this World Cup, and we are grateful for the multiplicity of cultures in our world which will be represented during this event,” said Cardinal Lehman.