In May the Dicastery for Culture and Education in Rome hosted an international meeting on sport and faith. In his welcoming address to Episcopal Conference delegates for sport, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça promoted a new paradigm to follow, moving from "sport at the service of faith" to "faith at the service of sport".  This paradigm was reflected in delegate inputs as they shared insights into the Church’s accompaniment of sport and support needed to enhance this ministry. One delegate suggested we needed to simply express: Why are we involved? How can we help?

Hosted in partnership with the French Embassy for the Holy See in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, the meeting highlighted sport as one of the most significant cultural phenomena of our time, and part of our evangelising mission field requiring a diverse response. Delegates called for greater dialogue, recognition, formation and sharing of learnings in the pastoral care of sport.

The meeting hosted a panel of former Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and sports commentators who shared the role of faith in their sporting lives. Another panel consisted of ministry leaders, chaplains and educators exploring how the Church utilises sport to evangelise, teach, pastorally care and encourage healthy lifestyles. A highlight was a sharing on ‘The Holy Games’, an initiative of the Archdiocese of Paris to accompany the city as it hosts the 2024 Olympics.

The meeting also explored the pedagogical, philosophical, political, anthropological, ethical and theological perspectives of sport. Presentations explored the transcendence of mind, body and soul through sports, and the future of sports enhancements considering drugs, prosthetics or the replacement of human participation altogether. These issues showcased the important voice of the Church in sport and the dignity of human life.

The final activity of the meeting was for attendees to participate in a sporting initiative, bringing together the learnings and experience of sport and faith. This relay run with local families and athletes from the Vatican’s sporting teams around Rome’s Circus Maximus, showcased how sports can bring together diverse groups of people and have a social and culture connection with the community.

The meeting showcased the beauty and complexity of sport and how the Church can contribute in many ways. The questions of ‘Why are we involved? How can we help?’ can be applied to the many roles, levels or challenges within sport.

At the elite level, the dignity of each athlete, coach and administrator can be celebrated or devalued. The business of sport could be influenced by greed or be used as a positive social voice. And in the pursuit of elite success, enhancements can value the dignity of humanity and provide inclusion but can also devalue humanity and lead to exclusion. More than just at an elite level, these experiences can flow into local sporting communities, influencing the experience of children and young people.

Sports is not just competitive activity.  As identified during the meeting in Rome, sport is defined as “activity with purpose”. Activity with purpose would be the most common experience of sport in Australia from gyms and clubs offering non-competitive training and classes, social walking and activity groups, non-scoring or non-competitive kids sports, to playground activity. The link between physical health and mental health is well-known and we’ve seen an expansion of physical activity since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spiritual accompaniment alongside physical and mental health is essential. The recent statement from the Australian Bishops, Open the Way to Christ, promotes and invites the Church in Australia to begin considering, engaging and learning about accompaniment of those involved in sport. It is hoped our engagement can support local communities and clubs to offer healthy sporting experiences and accompany families in their everyday life. It offers the Church an encounter with local realities and a chance to find the Holy Spirit at work in our world.

So, why are we involved and how can we help? Sport is a cultural phenomenon, and the Church is called to engage with culture through its evangelising mission. Sport in most circumstances serves human development and integrity, and our Church should be present to support these circumstances. We have much to offer to sport and society in accompaniment and caring for all, guiding inclusion and dignity, and physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. By being present and of service to sport, when it diverges from what is right and just, the Church will have a place at the table, as it does in healthcare, education and social services. Sport is an experience and language in which culture communicates and we must be present and open to the Holy Spirit which is alive in sport in Australia.

Links
World Meeting of Delegates of the Pastoral Care of Sport
Putting your life on the line: Pope Francis’ Message – Thinking about ‘sport beyond sport’
New websites on the Pastoral Care of Sports

Words: Malcolm Hart
Image: Dicastery for Culture and Education