The Catholic Church in South Africa prepares to host the teams and visitors at the occasion of the World Cup from 11 June to 11 July 2010. A major event for the Church throughout the continent as it is the first time in the history of football that Africa hosts the World Cup. This webpage aims to highlight the various initiatives to be implemented in the coming months in different dioceses (to announce an event, send information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The Church in South Africa wants to contribute to the success of the World Cup and to show its hospitality to all visitors on this particular occasion. The World needs to bring together the peoples, nations, languages, religions, cultures and ethnicities. The Church wants to participate in its own way.

Soccer World Cup prayer Almighty God, creator of all, as people from every nation gather with excitement and enthusiasm for the 2010 World Soccer Cup may South Africans be good hosts, our visitors welcomed guests and the players from every team be blessed with good sportsmanship and health. May your Spirit of fairness, justice and peace prevail amongst players and all involved. May each contribute in his own positive ways to prevent, control and fight crime and corruption, hooliganism of any kind and exploitation and abuse, especially of those most vulnerable. May those far away from home and those in their families find much joy in this occasion to celebrate the beautiful game of soccer and the beautiful game of life according to Your plan for the common good of all. Amen

South Africa and the State of Play for the 2010 World Cup There is no doubt that an air of optimism and expectation is gaining momentum daily in South Africa as the country fast approaches the dawn of the first World Cup tournament ever to be played on African soil. The tournament is clearly seen as an African event and a mass publicity campaign express this but the rewards, and there will be many, are clearly for South Africa. Read more

2010 World Cup: A South African Justice and Peace perspective When South Africa won the bid for the 2010 World Cup in May 2004, there was euphoria in the country. There was great pride that we had been bestowed the honour to host the biggest sporting event in the world for the first time ever in Africa. Since then, virtually all departments of the state have been drawn into the preparation process, and “2010” became the rallying point for plans and activities in all dimensions of life in the country. Read more

Blow your trumpet! Sitting down to write about the world cup keeps bringing up one sound – that of the vuvuzela, that uniquely South African approach to joy and intimidation. The ConFed cup might well have left more than a few of us with ringing ears. So I looked up trumpeting in my concordance and the results reinforced what we as Church and Believers should be doing in preparation for the Football. Read more

Cardinal Napier speaks about the 2010 World Cup As South Africa prepares for one of the biggest sport events of its history, the Church, too, is having a hand in the preparations for next year’s World Cup. It’s called “Church on the Ball,” and it’s the Catholic church’s way of getting involved in next year’s games by welcoming thousands of people to the historic event. Rome Report, a catholic television agency based in Rome, interviewed Cardinal Wilfrid Napier. See the cardinal's interview...

Families play the game: 2010 calendar The original article 'Time to get on the ball' was an early reflection and preparation for the event. Now things are gathering momentum and the 2010 Family Calendar produced by the SACBC Family Life Desk (Families play the game) will be one of the Church’s resources. Month by month families and groups can use it for reflection and sharing in the buildup and aftermath of the June-July World Soccer Cup. Order calendars and the explanatory leaflet from the Family Life Desk. Read more.

JUST FOR FUN!

- It's official: South Africa plays with France!
- Soccer is a family matter!

- Squirrel playing football!

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment