A Roman Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. Joseph Bamaiyi, has described Arsenal’s Champions league loss to PSG as a blessing to the Catholic Church.
In a statement that came after Arsenal’s defeat on Saturday, Bamaiyi stated that an Arsenal victory would have disrupted proceedings as the Church marks Holy Trinity Sunday.
Arsenal lost to defending champions PSG on penalties after playing a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time in Budapest.
They had hoped for a double celebration, following their league success with the club’s first Champions League trophy in 140 years.
But the English giants endured misery in Budapest on Saturday, losing on penalties to PSG, who were named European champions for the second season in a row.
Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both missed penalties in the shootout after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead early on, but Ousmane Dembélé equalized for the French side in the second half from the penalty spot.
Speaking on the loss, the clergy noted that he never wanted Arsenal to win the match because Arsenal fans would have distracted the Holy Trinity Sunday mass with “noise, celebrations, and endless analysis.”
Holy Trinity Sunday (also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity) is a major Christian feast celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. It honors the foundational doctrine of the Christian faith: that there is one God who exists as three distinct, co-equal divine persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
“I never wanted Arsenal to win. Not because I have anything against them, but because of the nature of tomorrow’s mass in the Catholic Church,” he wrote.
“The celebration of the Holy Trinity requires prayerful attention and deep reflection. Had Arsenal won, the noise, celebrations, and endless analysis might have distracted many of us from appreciating the rich theology of the Trinity,” he added.
He appreciated the Luis Enrique side for defeating the Premier League Champions, saying, “So, thank you, PSG, for helping to preserve a little silence for Sunday worshippers.”
He, however, appealed to fans of the English side to understand his claims, saying, “Now, dear Arsenal fans, before you come for me, remember football is temporary, but the mystery of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is eternal.”
