The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-05-26
SPORTS of TIMES
The $780,
And Morality
BY LOU FABR0
Times Sports Editor

II was rather stunning to read that four veteran
drivers who took part in the 1860 Indianapolis 500"
have since been killed while plying their trade. And
that the latest victim = Tony BettenhauSen - had
cracked up % times in his % years of racing.
During the famous Memorial Day race itself, Ii
drivers and mechanics have been killed since 1t began
in 1909. Another 20 drivers and mechanics have been
killed during qualifying runs. In addition, a dozen
spectators have been killed.
DOES THE APPARENT DANCES of the race
make it immoral? TheologianS have puzzled over this
question but have not arrived at any firm agreement.
Some time ago, Father George Bernard, c.. S. c.,
a vice president at the University of Notre Dame,
took the stand that it is immoral. Writing In theAVe
Maria magazine, he said:
"There is no question that the indianapolis 800"
is a dangerous race 1t seems to ne that the danger
of loss of life is enough to make it immoral " Fa-
Their Bernard, a member of Notre Danes theology
department, added.
II KNOW THAT AN ARGUMENT could be built
in favor of the race based on its entertainment value
for the spectators and the scientific data which re-
suits from testing the tires, batteries, motors, ETC.,
under tremendous stress, but ] don't think these fac
tors are great enough to offset the very serious danger
to the lives of those participating.
1t might be noted here that track promoters say
races are necessary to test tires, motors, etc, and that
society derives benefits from information compiled
in these races. It's apparent, however, that the prl-
mary object is to attract customers.
Getting back to Father Bernard, he said "if cars
simply went around the track one behind another with
out maneuvering in and out for position and leader
ship-this would lessen the danger somewhat, but it
would also make it very dull for spectators"
THE SPECTATORS, He ADDED, want thrills.
IF these were taken away-lf each driver raced only
against a time clock-probably very few spectators
would attend the race and those who did would find it
boring"
We point out again that Father Bernard'S views
are not shared by all theologians but they do contain
much food for thought. This also holds for his remarks
about prize fighting.
Noting that the Fifth Commandment forbids
us to injure another unjuStly or to commit injury to
oneself" Father Bernard says he feels prize fighting
is immoral because there is danger of serious injury.
from long exposure to physical punishment during a
normal ring career.
THE ~THEoLoGIAN, IN BUILDING HIS CASE,
cites the rules of the New York State Athletic Com
mission which state that Judging and awarding of
points for blows are made "in proportion to the dam
aging effects" Thus, Judging from those rules and
taking into consideration other background facts,
prize fighting is, of itself, immoral"
Father Bernard comedies that amateur boxing
Including CYO) is judged primarily on agility and
ring generalship. "The rules are not aimed at having
one man try to knock out another, he said. But in
practice, the amateur boxers intent would be to hurt
his opponent, the t~heologian said.
Because of this, Father Bernard concludes,
"even though Golden Gloves and other bouts are of
amateur standing, they have to be judged pretty much
the same as professional prize fighting"
Like the $500 and other races, prize fighting
has not been declared immoral by the Church. But
debate on the issue continues.