Sunday, 01 August 2010
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Dutch Priest Suspended for Too Much Soccer Fandom
World Cup fever has finally dissipated now that July is over, but this story was just too funny and bizarre for me to pass up.I’m somewhere between a casual and a semi-true soccer fan. I watch the big games, like the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League, but I’m not rushing out to buy any Los Angeles Galaxy jerseys.
I would say I’m more interested in soccer than the average American. But even the most die-hard American fan does not come close to the average European fan.
Take, for example, Reverend Paul Vlaar, a Catholic priest in the Netherlands who held an orange Mass to pray for the Dutch national team before it faced Spain in the World Cup final.
According to a report on ESPN.com, Rev. Vlaar dressed in an orange robe for the service and decorated the church with orange flags. During the Mass, he deflected a soccer ball like a goalkeeper when one churchgoer fired it down the aisle.
And my mom always told me never to play ball in the house.
The orange Mass apparently did not sit well with Bishop Jozef Punt, who suspended Rev. Vlaar because his ceremony “did not do justice to the sacred nature of the Eucharist.”
Bishop Punt ordered Rev. Vlaar to enter “a period of reflection” because the Mass “caused outrage” in the Netherlands and internationally. The Catholics at Rev. Vlaar’s church were surprised by the suspension because his passion is what draws them to Mass in the first place.
As crazy and weird as this orange Mass was, it actually raises an interesting point. How far should priests and the Catholic Church as a whole be willing to go to bring people to masses?
Obdam Parish’s vice chairman Win Bijman raised the point that Rev. Vlaar’s church is usually full, while other parishes struggle to get people to come to Mass.
Should the Catholic Church consider alternative ways to bring people to Mass? How far is too far?
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- From: NYOrangemen28
- About Me: My name is Andrew. I'm a huge sports fan and my greatest passion is writing. If there is anything else you want to know, feel free to ask!
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Comments (10)
Raised as a Roman Catholic by my Sunday School teaching mother...nothing will ever get me to go to Mass again. Never. Ever. However, I do believe that the Catholic Church needs to branch out in regards to its preaching methods. Not everyone understands everything when you teach/preach just one way. I understand why he was suspended, but it's still sad. It's almost like the Catholic Church says 'No fun once you walk through these doors!!!"
I think he was rightfully suspended; the Mass isn't about having fun, it is about worshiping God and honoring the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A priest could talk about soccer during the homily, sure; he could even blow a whistle or whatever if he wants to. But the rest of the Mass is not his to just toy with; it belongs to the whole Church, and it is offered on their behalf. Too many people over the last 2000 years have shed their blood and given their lives to their love of the Mass by which Christ comes to be with them; who is he to turn it into a circus? There is room in the liturgy for creativity, but in the proper place.
@Lydia_Lynne@xanga - I'm sorry that you would never come to Mass again.
@Ancient_Scribe@xanga - I totally agree. Im not religious...but I take the concept of religion seriously enough. While I do like and appreciate attempts to make their religion more accessible...there is a definite line that shouldn't be crossed. What good is it to have a full packed church if half of the people attend simply cuz its enjoyable and fun?
I think there are a ton of things this guy could have done to show his support for the team and involve the members. Maybe have a picnic and a soccer game or something like that. No need to make a mockery of the mass by decorating everything in orange and blocking soccer balls during the mass..... just plain ridiculous.
"Fun" and good feeling are fleeting, whereas Joy is a different thing altogether (meant to stick with ya). Mass isn't supposed to be a "fun" "entertainment" that you get bored with when it isn't interesting anymore...
Ah yes, religion out ruining good fun yet again, That seems to be the sole purpose of it.
@Lydia_Lynne@xanga - Funny. I was also raised Catholic and have the exact same opinion. Never, ever again.
@Ancient_Scribe@xanga -
I didn't expect to see you on Mancouch but I am glad to see you hereit only caused an outrage cause they lost
Just to break the streak...i was raised Catholic and WILL go to mass next sunday. so...the irony ends there.
Looks like a crap excuse to cover up the possiblity of change...Suspending him, that is.
This is messed up, because even Jesus would not approve of such stuffiness. He'd be saying "Let people have their fun" - he'd probably even bring a bag of soccer balls.