The Church of England has given its blessing for vicars to change the time of their services on Sunday so they don’t clash with England’s opening World Cup match against Sweden.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, gave the go-ahead after fears that the match, which kicks-off at 10.30am local time, would leave churches almost empty.
Many church-going England fans will now not have to test their faith during the tournament, with services set to be rescheduled and some churches even putting up big screens.
A representative for Archbishop Carey said worship must always come first but the church could afford to be flexible.
He told The Sun newspaper: ”Churches do not need the Archbishop’s blessing in this sort of situation. It is entirely a matter for each vicar and the local parochial parish council”.
”We are aware of churches where service times have been changed to accommodate the match and some have put up large screens for people to watch it,” he said.
Some churches in northern England are going to extraordinary lengths to get their congregation in the soccer mood.
Rev John Hartley of St Luke’s in Eccleshill, West Yorkshire, has put his service back to 3pm and titled it ”Make Jesus the centre forwards of your life”. He has invited fans to turn up in their soccer shirts.
Rev Rick Fillingham is moving his service at Ecclesall
Parish Church in Sheffield to 9.15am. He has hired a giant screen for his vicarage lawn and applied for a drinks licence.
Rev Richard Kellett will end his 9.30am service at St Andrew’s in Skegby, Nottinghamshire, with a giant screen in front of the altar.
But while many fans will enjoy the flexibility of service times, soccer-mad princes William and Henry will not be so lucky.
The princes are going to church in Wales with their father, Prince Charles, and the Swansea church is taking a far stricter line on the match than the Church of England.
The service will start at 11.15am, about 45 minutes after kickoff, and will finish about an hour later, just as the final whistle is blown. – Sapa-AP