Austrian, Swiss churches plan evangelization drive for Euro 2008

Published: 2008-05-01

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Catholic Church leaders in Austria and Switzerland plan an evangelization drive for the Euro 2008 soccer championship in June. "Sport isn't the most important thing in human life, but it's an occasion for bringing people from very different backgrounds together," said Erich Leitenberger, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vienna, Austria. "Vienna itself is home to Christian communities of every European language, and we hope to make approaches to the thousands coming here with their help. The government and sports organizations have welcomed our church initiatives." This year's Union of European Football Associations Cup tournament will be held in eight cities in Austria and Switzerland. The tournament is held every four years, and the associations cover 54 European countries. Leitenberger told Catholic News Service April 30 that Auxiliary Bishop Franz Lackner of Graz, who heads the Austrian church's sports commission, would outline plans for the championship during a May 7 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI; Reinhold Lopatka, Austria's state secretary for sports; and players from the soccer league.

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