Sport w nauczaniu Kościoła katolickiego

Abstract

This article is an attempt at analysis of the catholic Church’s position on sport activity. The starting point is a brief discussion of the relation between theology and sport. Next, there are given reasons why Church of first centuries was reluctant to sport activity. But already St. Paul referred to sport competition in order to show what is the meaning of christians’ life. In the next part, there are presented examples of how truly interested in sport were both laity and clergy catholics in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Since the beginning of twentieth century sport activity has been mentioning in the statements of the Church authorities. This paper is also showing an attitude of Popes of twentieth century to sport activity. In conclusion, there is pointed out how sport can be useful for man and what kind of sport can be an effective tool for evangelization.