[Ecumenic] Dutch soccer player who scored winning goal against Brazil is Catholic convert

CNA ^ | Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jul 6, 2010

[GonzoII]

www.catholicnewsagency.com

Dutch soccer player who scored winning goal against Brazil is Catholic convert

Dutch soccer player Wesley Sneijder.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jul 6, 2010 / 12:14 pm (CNA).- The Argentinean daily La Nacion featured a story this week on the Dutch soccer player Wesley Sneijder, who scored the winning goal against Brazil in the World Cup quarter finals last week. The article revealed his conversion and baptism, which took place shortly before he traveled to South Africa for the tournament.

In an article entitled, “The Spiritual Goal of a Dutch Soccer Star,” journalist Mariano de Vedia said Sneijder arrived at the World Cup “completely renewed.” 

“At the end of May he converted to Catholicism and was baptized in a chapel in Milan, where the brilliant soccer star plays for the Inter Soccer Team, receiving endless accolades.  He was influenced in his decision by his girlfriend, Dutch actress and model Yolanthe Cabau, who was born in the Spanish city of Ibiza and who he has decided to marry in the Church after the World Cup ends. 

“He was also inspired by his friendship with Javier Zanetti, his teammate and captain for Inter, who is himself a practicing Catholic,” the paper explained.

Sneijder said that he had recently attended a Mass with his teammates and was moved to embrace the faith.  He signed up for catechism classes with Inter’s chaplain.

“In South Africa, he said he prays every day and goes to Mass on Sundays and receives Communion with Yolanthe.  He wears a Rosary around his neck that she gave him as a gift,” the article states. 

“The faith gives me strength,” Sneijder said.  “My convictions often keep me strong and give me determination.  Everyday I pray the Our Father with her.  Before each game I always seek out a place to pray,” the soccer star added.

Sneijder's Dutch team plays against Uruguay later today in the World Cup's semi-finals.

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[GonzoII]

“Yolanthe gave me a rosary.
That was blessed by some priest in Italy.
We pray every morning using the rosary.
Now, with me here, we do that via the phone.”

[Frantzie]

The article refers to Inter which probably means he plays for Inter Milan (Milan) which is one of the top teams in Italy and all of Europe. You do not play for Inter Milan unless you are one of the best in the world. The other biggies in Italy are Juventus and Roma.

Nice story.

[pgkdan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell me when he starts playing baseball, then I’ll care.

[ArrogantBustard]

If you don't start caring RIGHT STINKING NOW ....

I'lll ...

Ummm ....

I'll get your neighbours to start blowing their vuvuzelas all night!

[pgkdan]

HA! That would be an improvement from the constant bombardment we’ve had since Friday night! The folks across the lake put more foreworks in the sky this weekend than the City of Norfolk did! But scratch that...I like fireworks. Those vuvuzela’s would drive me nuts!

[ArrogantBustard]

The vuvuzelas would drive me to thinking about things with a little more “punch” than fireworks ...

[TheEditor]

One could only hope that Wesley’s religious instruction contains invocations against diving, because the Dutch squad is the biggest bunch of submarine commanders I’ve ever seen. The Italians will really need to step up their game after this tournament.

[cmj328]

He may have scored the winning goal again today against Uruguay.

[cmj328]

He may have scored the winning goal again today against Uruguay.

[bibletruth]

Dutch soccer player Wesley Sneijder, who scored the winning goal against Brazil in the World Cup quarter finals last week....to become a Catholoic convert

Here we go again...the Catholics, just like the Jewish Pharisees, whom they emulate in legalism, are off to convert another proselyte, and make him a Catholic saint...

Once again, only God Almighty - the Father - declares who is deemed a saint, and this declaration of "Saint" is not from within the Catholic religious system.

A saint is only a believer in Christ Jesus by faith alone, and not by works of the law. A true saint is not a Catholic; for the Catholics do not believe in Christ Alone and His Grace.

Catholics salvation is only by works of the law and submission to the Pope, not submission towards God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ alone is the head of the church - the body of Christ - not a building made with hands. (Read the scripture, it fully explains this).

The body of Christ is only made up of faith believers who are formed into a building NOT made with hands. (Read the scriptures - they fully explain this correct doctrine.)

If Catholics only read the scriptures carefully, they would realize these truths.

[Cronos]

You’re right, Catholic salvation is by belief in and submission to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What does your brand of non-Christian religion teach, if I might ask?

[Pope Pius XII]

When someone is cannonized, that’s when the Holy Spirit reveals to the Church that the Saint is in fact in heaven.

[Pope Pius XII]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

828 By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly pro claiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors. “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history.” Indeed, “holiness is the hidden source and infallible measure of her apostolic activity and missionary zeal.”

[SeaHawkFan]

His religion has nothing to do with his playing ability.

Tiger Woods is a serial cheater and a self-proclaimed Buddist. What conclusion do you reach from that?

[NYer]

Ping!

[Cronos]

Well, I don’t believe the article puts a direct link between his religion and his playing ability. It just points out the faith of Wesley S.

[SeaHawkFan]

You think this article would have been posted if he had not scored the winning goal?

BTW, I am not anti-Roman Catholic even if I have some very serious questions about some parts of RC theology. I know way to many RCs for whom I have absolutely no doubt about their Christian faith.

[Cronos]

You think this article would have been posted if he had not scored the winning goal?

No I don't believe it would, however, the article itself does no say "because he was CAtholic, he won".

Your statement wasn't anti-Catholic and I did not and will not in any way consider it as such. I agree that there are always articles about a brilliant young find after he has succeeded and people do try to make linkages out of thin air, but my point was that this article does not overtly and explicitly (or implicitly) try to do so

[fortunecookie]

Wow! Remarkable story and what a wonderful gift that lead to his conversion.