February 3, 2012

‘God doesn’t care who wins a football game’—unless it’s the Patriots

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne proudly wears his New England Patriots hoodie as he poses with St. Lawrence School students Morgen Harris, left, Ashleigh Wade and Ema O’Hara on Jan. 30. The students were serving coffee and donuts to staff at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis during Catholic Schools Week. (Submitted photo)

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne proudly wears his New England Patriots hoodie as he poses with St. Lawrence School students Morgen Harris, left, Ashleigh Wade and Ema O’Hara on Jan. 30. The students were serving coffee and donuts to staff at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis during Catholic Schools Week. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne has a ticket to watch his beloved New England Patriots play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5.

The apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis also has some definite thoughts on the connection between football and faith—insights that the longtime Boston-area resident shares with a touch of humor.

“I was called by a Boston talk show when the Patriots were getting ready to play Tim Tebow [and the Denver Broncos in a playoff game this year],” Bishop Coyne recalled. “They said, ‘Will you talk about faith and Tebow?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ So they asked, ‘Do you think that God has anything to do with Tim Tebow’s success?’ I said, ‘No, God doesn’t care who wins a football game.’

“I would have to say that’s true except when it comes to my Patriots.” †

 

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