First victory of World Cup goes to Berlin congregation

Christopher Jage-Bowler, the Anglican Chaplain in Berlin, has been hitting the headlines for his multi-faith build up to the World Cup during the run up to kick off. Under the eyes of media from all over the world, including television cameras from Japan and the United States, he staged a match between Christian ministers and Muslim Imams to draw attention to a workshop about racism in football.

The discussions are aimed at involving more Muslims in the game. Christopher devised the match after reading about a similar ‘Vicars v. Imams’ fixture in Leicester, refereed by a Jewish Rabbi. In Berlin the game could not be played on a Friday or a Sunday (Muslim and Christian Holy Days) and it proved impossible to find a Rabbi willing to referee on the Sabbath.

In the event, a CNN journalist kept order on the pitch on Saturday 6th May 2006 while the Rabbi watched from the touchline. The clergy scored a decisive 12 – 1 win over the Imams during a match which Christopher describes as being “lots of fun during a wonderfully encouraging day”. A trophy has been awarded by the local Ecumenical Council so the game should become an annual event.