Bishop overseeing sports activities. - Oster aims for enjoyable matches, fairness, and great teamwork.
Bishop Stefan Oster, responsible for Catholic Sports, views the church service for the start of the European Football Championship as more than faith and football. It's about European values as well. "We pray for fair matches, unity, and unity among those involved. We believe as Christian women and men that we shape society and Europe, promoting values essential for football. We invite you to join us," he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Joining forces with the sports representative of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), President Thorsten Latzel, Oster will create a service for the EM kick-off at the St. Michael Church in Munich. The event will occur a few hours before the EM opener.
During the tournament (June 14 to July 14), Oster aspires for a similar atmosphere as in the 2006 World Cup: "The success largely depends on how our players in our country behave or what they bring to the pitch after training. In 2006, during what was dubbed 'the Summer Fairy Tale,' the chances weren't great. Nevertheless, we progressed and inspired many people. The weather was fantastic, and the mood was great."
He hopes that the EM can symbolize Europe, integration, and European values. "I would like the pleasure of sport and shared experience to prevail - in our country, possibly for all of Europe," said Oster.
Despite this, Oster acknowledges the importance of addressing challenges in sports, such as commercialization and instrumentalization. "The commercialization is a daunting construction project, and the other monumental project is exploiting sports for power, ideology, and propaganda. We've experienced that. Moreover, I sense that this is a persistent irritant for many fans, and I feel that we shouldn't overindulge."
So, having a service before significant sporting events, like the EM, is crucial "...because we want to highlight these values that make football appealing, free, and prioritize the sport rather than commercialization. And if you ask the players themselves, money is important, but their love for sports is more so. If that joy is taken away, they can't be successful."
But the commercialization remains "an immense project" and "in the course of years and decades, it will not diminish but grow."
