Can a Faithful be a Faithful?

I am a Faithful Catholic, a Third Order Dominican and a classically trained Catechist.  I profess and proclaim all that Holy Mother Church professes and proclaims to be true as TRUTH.

I am also a Forty-Niner Faithful - since 1946 and I wasn't even born yet! - who rarely if ever misses a game and who starts every pre-season convinced this is the year we will win that 6th Super Bowl.  A successful season is more than that though - it means we have, at the very least, beaten the Dallas Cowboys. GO NINERS!

Apparently, that really annoys some people.  In fact, it annoys the heck out of one the clergy at my parish.  He has stated he keeps his eyes cast down in case he looks up and sees someone (probably me) wearing a sports tee shirt or jersey at Sunday Mass.

Full disclosure - I usually do not wear my jersey to Mass but because I now know it bugs this one guy so much that he cannot even stand to look at the congregation I may start just to see if I can get him to go to Al-Anon or Codependents Anonymous for help.

What does the CHURCH think of people like me - the ones who put GOD first, then family and then football (or soccer or baseball or basketball)?  Are we REALLY the worst example of Catholics ever seen?  

can a Catholic support a professional sports team and remain a Catholic in good standing?

Yes, a Catholic can support a professional sports team and remain in good standing, provided the individual keeps their faith and the Church's teachings in proper perspective. The Catholic Church does not prohibit or discourage participation in sports, either as an athlete or a spectator. In fact, the Church recognizes the positive value of sports for the human person and society.

The key distinction is ensuring that a love for sports does not become a form of idolatry or an obsession that detracts from one's spiritual life.

The Church's positive view of sports

Church teaching and statements from recent popes have consistently affirmed the value of sports.

Integral human development: The Church sees sports as a "powerful instrument for the integral growth of the human person," affecting the body, mind, and spirit.

Encourages virtue: Sports are viewed as a training ground for virtues such as perseverance, loyalty, sacrifice, and respect for rules and opponents.

Fosters community: Following a team can foster community and provide healthy recreation, bringing people together for a shared interest.

Promotes peace: As Pope Francis has noted, the "universal language" of sports can foster dialogue and unite people across cultures, races, and ideologies.

Keeping sports in proper perspective

For a Catholic, supporting a team becomes problematic only when it interferes with their religious obligations or becomes morally questionable. The following cautions should be observed:

Sunday obligations: Attending Mass is a fundamental obligation. A Catholic who regularly skips Mass to watch or attend a sporting event is not in good standing. Sports activities on Sundays are not sinful as long as they do not take precedence over worship.

Avoiding obsession and idolatry: While passion for a team is natural, it should not replace one's relationship with God. When the outcome of a game or the success of a team dictates one's spiritual or emotional state, it has become an unhealthy obsession.

Ethical considerations: The Catholic Church acknowledges that some aspects of modern sports—such as excessive commercialization, gambling, or violence—can be problematic. A fan should be mindful of these issues and not participate in morally objectionable behaviors, such as unethical gambling.

Fair play: The Church promotes "fair play" and sportsmanship. Supporting a team should not lead to disrespect, hatred, or aggression toward opposing teams or their fans.

Ultimately, for a Catholic to remain in good standing while supporting a professional sports team, the key is balance. Sports should serve as a source of healthy enjoyment and community, not as a replacement for a life of faith.

So let's stop sucking the joy out of being Catholic.  Fly your colors, people.  Pray for a W on Sunday - both in the spiritual life and on the field.