AFP Blog, Par Fabrice Coffrini, 4 June 2014
AFP Geneva
photographer Fabrice Coffrini knew about the ultra-conservative take on
Catholic faith that put the Society of Saint Pius X, founded by Archbishop
Marcel Lefebvre, at loggerheads with the Vatican. But when he went to see the
brotherhoods he discovered that they also play a devilishly good game of
football.
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| Seminarians of the International Seminary of Saint Pius X vie wearing their cassocks for the ball during a football game on May 25, 2014 in Riddes, Western Switzerland (AFP / Fabrice Coffrini) |
RIDDES,
Switzerland, June 4, 2014 - Every Sunday the Society of Saint Pius X’s priests
and priests-to-be based in Econe, Switzerland, take time out to relax after a
heavy week of study and prayer. Some go jogging and some practice basketball,
but quite a few play football with, on occasion, divine inspiration.
Even when
sweating it, the brothers must be dressed in cassocks. For traditionalists, the
garment must be worn in any social situation, visible proof that the brothers
are “in the world, but not of the world”. The doctrine seems not to target
footwear, so studded football shoes are OK.
 |
| (AFP / Fabrice Coffrini) |
I’ve wanted
to take these pictures for years, and now that the World Cup approaches, the
moment seems ideal. Getting permission from the Society was easy, and so here I
am, in the Canton of Valais, for the Sunday match held at Riddes, a village
down the road from Econe.
The
football pitch is just below a motorway bridge. Drivers beep their horns as
they notice the rare sight of dressed-up priests fighting over a ball. Apart
from amused motorists there are no fans watching. There’s no referee either.
But you don’t need secular arbitration when God is surely keeping score.
 |
| (AFP / Fabrice Coffrini) |
The match
is very physical, like any ordinary soccer game. The players tackle and shove
each other as if they’d never heard of “Love Thy Neighbour”. But there is,
apart from the attire of course, a major difference: The language used by the
holy men. No cursing, no blasphemous swear words, and not the slightest protest
over controversial offside situations or fouls. It’s all impeccably polite.
“Brother, please pass the ball!” is how they address each other.
During
half-time I want to line up the priestly squads and get them to punch holes in
the air with enthusiasm, like any ordinary football team. But, heavens no, they
turn me down flat. When you’re wearing
the cloak of God, there’s only so far you will go to tempt fate.
 |
| (AFP / Fabrice Coffrini) |
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