Catholic Church to produce World Cup prayer book

Kaiserslautern, Germany - The Catholic Church in Germany is to publish a prayer book for the World Cup next year.

The book is to feature prayers from and for sportsmen and women, the diocese of Speyer near Kaiserslautern said.

The Protestant Church in Germany is also planning several World Cup-related events and special church services. It plans to use the tournament to address issues such as fair play and justice.

The Churches are planning an ecumenical service in Munich on June 9, the day the World Cup tournament kicks-off with the opening match in the Bavarian city.