Interfaith Clergy Soccer Tournament of 2014: A Prayer for Reconciliation and Peace
Clergy representing four religions gathered together and held a soccer tournament as a prayer for peace and reconciliation
The Jogye Order of Buddhism, the National Council of Church in Korea (NCCK), the Catholic Bishops Conference of Korea (CBCK), and the Center for Won Buddhism in Korea put together the “2014 Soccer Tournament of Clergy from Four Religions as Prayer for Reconciliation and Peace” on the 3rd of November at 9:30am at Jamsil Sports Complex.
On this day the soccer tournament proceeded with a system of Buddhists, Protestants, Catholics, and Won Buddhists separated into four teams following international friendly match rules with first and second halves of 20 minutes each.
Rev. Kim Young Ju stated, “I hope this becomes a time for your devotion to be expressed with your body as you all pray for reconciliation and peace. I hope this becomes a time to express your heart longing for reconciliation and peace through your body. I wish that the denominations’ experience of reconciling and creating peace might be a revival of the culture of life for society at large.”
Before the matches each religion took the time to commit the tournament to themes such as, “A Path to Heaven for the Victims of SEWOL” and “Fair Play.”
On this day, the new reformed church and Won Buddhism began the tournament with Won Buddhism winning the first match 1:0. The next match was Jogye Buddhism facing Catholic Church who were tied 1:1 at the end of regulation, but Jogye Buddhism went on to win in penalty shots 3:2. Jogye Buddhism went on to face Won Buddhism for the 1st place final, and Won Buddhism came out on top with a score of 2:0. Jogye Buddhism took 2nd place. The Catholic Church won 3rd place while the New Reformed Church settled for 4th place.
The tournament MVP award was given to monk Jidam, captain of the Jogye Buddhist team, and the participating religions donated the full prize to be used for good works in their head offices.
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