Churches in Austria and Switzerland are banding together to launch an evangelisation programme to target soccer enthusiasts. The two nations are joint hosting the Euro2008 football championship.
In a pastoral letter to Catholics in Austria, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Austria, Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, said it was a time for churches to reveal Christ to the people.
"These soccer events will offer young people from various countries a chance to meet," Cardinal Schoenborn told Ecumenical News International (ENI).
"Christians intend to enjoy them as much as other sports fans. By getting involved in Euro 2008, the churches will seek to reveal Christ to people."
The chairperson of Austria's Ecumenical Council of Churches, Lutheran Bishop, Herwig Sturm, said this would be the first time Christian churches would cooperate on such a broad scale and hoped a joyful and peaceful climate could prevail over each match.
Around 50,000 people are expected to attend the final soccer match to be held in June 2008.
-
Ash Wednesday from ancient tradition to modern practice
-
Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?
-
What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?
-
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online
-
Bishop of Lincoln suspended and arrested
-
Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology
Most Popular
News
Investigation launched into fire at west London church
Investigators are working to uncover the cause of a huge fire that tore through a derelict Methodist church in west London on Sunday night.
Zia Yusuf says Reform would protect the UK's Christian heritage
Reform's home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, has said his party will protect Britain’s Christian heritage if it is voted into power at the next general election.
Culture change needed to reduce gargantuan abortion numbers, says peer
Many women have abortions due to feelings of inadequacy, rather than financial concerns.
Bishop: 10 years on, concerns that led to Brexit have still not been addressed
It's not the first time North has spoken of the disconnect between the Church and the working classes.