SPORTS> Off the Pitch
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SPORTS> Off the Pitch
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"God save the team" service for fans
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-07 14:10 For soccer fans seeking divine intervention on behalf of their teams or in need of consolation after a crushing defeat, religious pastors will be on hand in each of Germany's World Cup cities to offer spiritual care.
"Yes -- it is sad when a team loses but we will be there to talk with fans and help remind them of the more important things in life," said Father Matthias Boensmann, a Catholic priest from Dortmund, who will make himself available to fans throughout. "I hope people come to us for comfort though I'm sure some supporters will still seek solace in alcohol instead," he added. Among the hundreds of thousands to visit Germany will be supporters from more fervent nations such as Brazil, Mexico or Poland. The host nation's powerful Catholic and Protestant churches have set up a vast programme of events to cater to their needs ranging from confessions to foreign language services. |
