Clericus Cup
Encyclopedia
The Clericus Cup is an annual association football tournament contested by teams from the Roman Colleges
, which are seminaries of the Catholic Church located in Rome
. During the fourth season (2010), the tournament involved sixteen schools and fielded players from 65 countries, with the majority coming from Brazil
, Italy
, Mexico
, and the United States of America. The players are normally seminarians studying to be Roman Catholic priests
. A handful of players are ordained
priests. The annual tournament is organized by the Centro Sportivo Italiano (CSI). The league was founded in 2007, and matches are completed for the fifth season. The sixth season will start in early 2012.
Officially, the goal of the league is to "reinvigorate the tradition of sport in the Christian community." In other words, to provide a venue for friendly athletic competition among the thousands of seminarians, representing nearly a hundred countries, who study in Rome. The league is the brainchild of the Cardinal Secretary of State
, Tarcisio Bertone, who is an unapologetic football fan. While some press outlets hinted that the Church hoped to offer a brand of football free of football hooliganism, the reality is that play on the field is intensely competitive. The teams that regularly contend for the eight play-off spots are, on the field, fierce rivals.
, The Brazilian College, The French College
, The Polish Institute) and two international colleges (San Paolo and Mater Ecclesiae
). The Italian College of Sant'Anselmo
, and the multinational Gregorian University rounded out Division A.
Division B included the Mexican College, The Pontifical Roman Seminary
, the Urbanianum (which fields players primarily from Africa
and East Asia
), as well as the religious institutes Augustinianum, Sedes Sapientiae
, Redemptoris Mater, and Guanelliani Internazionale (The Servants of Charity
). Two schools, Almo Collegio Capranica
and Pio Latino
merged to field the team Almo-Pio.
The first season was played from February to May 2007. The second season began in November in of 2007 and finished on May 3, 2008. The regular season games were played at Oratorio San Pietro, on the Via di Santa Maria Mediatrice, 24. The third season was played from February to May 2009 with Redemptoris Mater winning the championship against the Pontifical North American College. The fourth season was played from February to May 2010 with the championship game again consisting of Redemptoris Mater against the Pontifical North American College. Redemptoris Mater won the championship game, 1–0, against the North American College
, the same score as in 2009. The fifth season of the Clericus Cup will begin in February 2011.
Talent will continue to improve as the Cup tradition becomes established among the dozens of schools located in Rome. These schools can draw students from a worldwide pool of athletes. During the second season, the inaugural and final match were held at the site of the 1960 Summer Olympics
: the Stadio dei Marmi
in Rome
. In the third season, the opening game was officiated by one of Italy's top referees, Stefano Farina
.
Despite the league's amateur status, it has attracted the attention of the professional football community. The president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA
) called the inauguration of Clericus Cup III (the 2009 season) "evidence of success" of the league. the In 2009, the major Italian newspaper's covered the league as a novelty - including Corriere della Sera
, Il Giornale
, Corriere dello Sport, and the anti-clerical La Repubblica
. Newsweek
's Russian edition reported favorably on the league, noting that many football players and fans "are believers." A video featuring a player from the Urbanium's team is available on the web. Voice of America
reported on the North American College's road to the championship game in 2009.
In the first two seasons, international newspapers often focused on events peripheral to the game itself. During the Clericus Cup II season, several international newspapers found the hyper-enthusiasm of the fans newsworthy. Redemptoris Mater's club, in particular, generated a very noisy fan base. The Pontifical North American College also employed a megaphone that annoyed both opposing players and neighbors alike. This led the local government to pass an ordinance banning the use of tambourines, percussion instruments, and loud speakers during morning hours - when most of the league's games are played. The media coverage has increased the profile of the league, whose talent continues to improve each year.
The British press is fascinated by the Cup's use of a blue card, which British reporters labelled "the sin bin." In addition to the red and yellow cards, the blue card is a 5 minute bench penalty for unsportsmanlike play. Most players have never seen it used. And this should be no surprise, since the league draws officials from the ranks of Italian club soccer.
Roman Colleges
Note: This article is based on the "Catholic Encyclopedia" 1913 and contains a large amount of out-dated information throughout, including the numbers of students...
, which are seminaries of the Catholic Church located in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. During the fourth season (2010), the tournament involved sixteen schools and fielded players from 65 countries, with the majority coming from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and the United States of America. The players are normally seminarians studying to be Roman Catholic priests
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
. A handful of players are ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
priests. The annual tournament is organized by the Centro Sportivo Italiano (CSI). The league was founded in 2007, and matches are completed for the fifth season. The sixth season will start in early 2012.
Officially, the goal of the league is to "reinvigorate the tradition of sport in the Christian community." In other words, to provide a venue for friendly athletic competition among the thousands of seminarians, representing nearly a hundred countries, who study in Rome. The league is the brainchild of the Cardinal Secretary of State
Cardinal Secretary of State
The Cardinal Secretary of State—officially Secretary of State of His Holiness The Pope—presides over the Holy See, usually known as the "Vatican", Secretariat of State, which is the oldest and most important dicastery of the Roman Curia...
, Tarcisio Bertone, who is an unapologetic football fan. While some press outlets hinted that the Church hoped to offer a brand of football free of football hooliganism, the reality is that play on the field is intensely competitive. The teams that regularly contend for the eight play-off spots are, on the field, fierce rivals.
The League
The 2009 season drew 16 teams, representing 15 international seminaries, plus the Gregorian University. The league is divided into two sides or divisions: Division A and Division B. In 2009, Division A included four national seminaries (The Pontifical North American CollegePontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
, The Brazilian College, The French College
Pontifical French Seminary
The Pontifical French Seminary is one of the Roman Colleges dedicated to training Roman Catholic priests.-History:...
, The Polish Institute) and two international colleges (San Paolo and Mater Ecclesiae
Legion of Christ
The Legion of Christ is a Roman Catholic congregation of pontifical right, made up of priests and seminarians studying for the priesthood. It was founded in Mexico in 1941, by Fr. Marcial Maciel, who directed the congregation as its General Superior until January 2005...
). The Italian College of Sant'Anselmo
Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino
Sant' Anselmo all'Aventino is a church, monastery and college on the Aventine Hill in Rome, dedicated to Saint Anselm.They were designed by Hildebrand de Hemptinne and Fidelis von Stotzingen, and built in 1900...
, and the multinational Gregorian University rounded out Division A.
Division B included the Mexican College, The Pontifical Roman Seminary
Pontifical Roman Seminary
The Pontifical Roman Seminary is a seminary in Rome, Italy located at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.Its teachings are based on the Roman Pontifical.-History:...
, the Urbanianum (which fields players primarily from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
), as well as the religious institutes Augustinianum, Sedes Sapientiae
Opus Dei
Opus Dei, formally known as The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei , is an organization of the Catholic Church that teaches that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. The majority of its membership are lay people, with secular priests under the...
, Redemptoris Mater, and Guanelliani Internazionale (The Servants of Charity
Servants of Charity
The Servants of Charity or 'Opera Don Guanella', is a male Catholic religious institute...
). Two schools, Almo Collegio Capranica
Almo Collegio Capranica
The Almo Collegio Capranica is the oldest Roman college, founded in 1457 by Cardinal Domenico Capranica in his own palace for 31 young clerics, who received an education suitable for the formation of good priests. Capranica himself drew up their rules and presented the college with his own library,...
and Pio Latino
South American College in Rome
The South American College in Rome is one of the Roman Colleges of the Roman Catholic Church, for students from Central and South America.-History:...
merged to field the team Almo-Pio.
The first season was played from February to May 2007. The second season began in November in of 2007 and finished on May 3, 2008. The regular season games were played at Oratorio San Pietro, on the Via di Santa Maria Mediatrice, 24. The third season was played from February to May 2009 with Redemptoris Mater winning the championship against the Pontifical North American College. The fourth season was played from February to May 2010 with the championship game again consisting of Redemptoris Mater against the Pontifical North American College. Redemptoris Mater won the championship game, 1–0, against the North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
, the same score as in 2009. The fifth season of the Clericus Cup will begin in February 2011.
Talent will continue to improve as the Cup tradition becomes established among the dozens of schools located in Rome. These schools can draw students from a worldwide pool of athletes. During the second season, the inaugural and final match were held at the site of the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
: the Stadio dei Marmi
Stadio dei Marmi
The Stadio dei Marmi is a sport stadium in the Foro Italico, a sport complex in Rome, Italy.It was designed in the 1920s as a complement to the annexed Academy of Physical Education , to be used by its students for training. Construction, designed by Enrico Del Debbio, was finished in 1928...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. In the third season, the opening game was officiated by one of Italy's top referees, Stefano Farina
Stefano Farina
Stefano Farina is a retired Italian football referee.In a 27-year career, he has refereed several high-profile matches in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League, including the 2006 UEFA Super Cup in Monaco...
.
News Coverage
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
) called the inauguration of Clericus Cup III (the 2009 season) "evidence of success" of the league. the In 2009, the major Italian newspaper's covered the league as a novelty - including Corriere della Sera
Corriere della Sera
The Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
, Il Giornale
Il Giornale
il Giornale is an Italian daily newspaper published in Milan, Italy.-History:The newspaper was planned in 1972 by the journalist Indro Montanelli, together with the colleague Enzo Bettiza, after some disagreements with the new pro-left editorial line adopted by the newspaper Corriere della Sera,...
, Corriere dello Sport, and the anti-clerical La Repubblica
La Repubblica
la Repubblica is an Italian daily general-interest newspaper. Founded in 1976 in Rome by the journalist Eugenio Scalfari, as of 2008 is the second largest circulation newspaper, behind the Corriere della Sera.-Foundation:...
. Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
's Russian edition reported favorably on the league, noting that many football players and fans "are believers." A video featuring a player from the Urbanium's team is available on the web. Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
reported on the North American College's road to the championship game in 2009.
In the first two seasons, international newspapers often focused on events peripheral to the game itself. During the Clericus Cup II season, several international newspapers found the hyper-enthusiasm of the fans newsworthy. Redemptoris Mater's club, in particular, generated a very noisy fan base. The Pontifical North American College also employed a megaphone that annoyed both opposing players and neighbors alike. This led the local government to pass an ordinance banning the use of tambourines, percussion instruments, and loud speakers during morning hours - when most of the league's games are played. The media coverage has increased the profile of the league, whose talent continues to improve each year.
The British press is fascinated by the Cup's use of a blue card, which British reporters labelled "the sin bin." In addition to the red and yellow cards, the blue card is a 5 minute bench penalty for unsportsmanlike play. Most players have never seen it used. And this should be no surprise, since the league draws officials from the ranks of Italian club soccer.
Championship Results: 2007–2011
| Year | Final | Third Place Match | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Score | Runner-up | 3rd Place | Score | 4th Place | |
| 2007 | Redemptoris Mater | 1–0 | Pontifical Lateran University Pontifical Lateran University The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family... |
Mater Ecclesiae Legion of Christ The Legion of Christ is a Roman Catholic congregation of pontifical right, made up of priests and seminarians studying for the priesthood. It was founded in Mexico in 1941, by Fr. Marcial Maciel, who directed the congregation as its General Superior until January 2005... |
3–1 | Sedes Sapientiae Opus Dei Opus Dei, formally known as The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei , is an organization of the Catholic Church that teaches that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. The majority of its membership are lay people, with secular priests under the... |
| 2008 | Mater Ecclesiae Legion of Christ The Legion of Christ is a Roman Catholic congregation of pontifical right, made up of priests and seminarians studying for the priesthood. It was founded in Mexico in 1941, by Fr. Marcial Maciel, who directed the congregation as its General Superior until January 2005... |
2–1 | Redemptoris Mater | UCro | 2–1 | Pontifical North American College Pontifical North American College The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical... |
| 2009 | Redemptoris Mater | 1–0 | Pontifical North American College Pontifical North American College The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical... |
Mater Ecclesiae Legion of Christ The Legion of Christ is a Roman Catholic congregation of pontifical right, made up of priests and seminarians studying for the priesthood. It was founded in Mexico in 1941, by Fr. Marcial Maciel, who directed the congregation as its General Superior until January 2005... |
2–0 | Pontifical Urban University |
| 2010 | Redemptoris Mater | 1–0 | Pontifical North American College Pontifical North American College The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical... |
Brazilian College | 6–1 | Guanelliani Servants of Charity The Servants of Charity or 'Opera Don Guanella', is a male Catholic religious institute... |
| 2011 | Pontifical Gregorian University Pontifical Gregorian University The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits... |
3–1 | Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas | Sedes Sapientiae Opus Dei Opus Dei, formally known as The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei , is an organization of the Catholic Church that teaches that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. The majority of its membership are lay people, with secular priests under the... |
1–2 | Pontifical North American College Pontifical North American College The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical... |
2007–2008 Season
- Division A:
- Redemtoris Mater (Neocatechumenal Way)
- Sedes Sapientiae (Opus Dei)
- Pontifical North American CollegePontifical North American CollegeThe Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
- College of Sant'Anselmo
- Pio Latino Americano College
- Pontifical College M.I. Apostle Saint Paul
- Divino Amore
- Oblates of the "Sons of the Madonna of Divine Love"
- Pontifical Gallican Seminary
- Division B:
- UCRO
- Ukrainian College
- Croatian College
- Pontifical Urban College
- Mater Ecclesia (Legion of Christ)
- Roman Major Seminary
- Salesians of Don Bosco
- Augustinianum Patristics Institute
- British Colleges United
- Pontifical/Venerable English Colleges
- Pontifical Scots College
- College Almo Capranica
- UCRO
2009 season
- Division A:
- Mater Ecclesia (Legion of Christ)
- Pontifical College of Saint Paul
- Pontifical North American CollegePontifical North American CollegeThe Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
- Pontifical Gregorian University
- College of Sant'Anselmo
- Polish Institute
- Pontifical Gallican Seminary
- Brazilian College
- Division B:
- Pontifical Urban College
- Guanelliani (Servants of Charity)
- Redemtoris Mater (Neocatechumenal Way)
- Augustinianum Patristics Institute
- Sedes Sapientiae (Opus Dei)
- Mexican College
- Roman Major Seminary
- Almo Pio
- College Almo Capranica
- Pio Latino Americano College
2010 season
- Division A:
- Pontifical College of Saint Paul
- Anglo-Celtic Colleges United
- Venerable English College
- Pontifical Irish College
- Pontifical Scots College
- Pontifical Beda College
- College of Sant'Anselmo
- Polish Institute
- Pontifical North American CollegePontifical North American CollegeThe Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
- Brazilian College
- Pontifical Gallican Seminary
- Redemtoris Mater (Neocatechumenal Way)
- Division B:
- Pontifical Urban College
- Mater Ecclesia (Legion of Christ)
- Pio Latino Americano College
- Mexican College
- Guanelliani (Servants of Charity)
- Pontifical Gregorian University
- Roman Major Seminary
- Sedes Sapientiae (Opus Dei)
External links
- Clericus Cup official website (in Italian)
- CSI - Centro Sportivo Italiano (in Italian)
- Clericus Cup webpage. Pontifical North American College official website
- ABC News
- BBC News