Bishop frowns on priest's World Cup final mass for Holland

A Dutch priest has been suspended for holding an orange mass to pray for victory in the World Cup final against Spain.

The Reverend Paul Vlaar held a packed service in the village of Obdam, north of Amsterdam, in which he wore a robe and decorated the church with flags in the Dutch national football side's orange colours.

As part of the service he saved a ball that a parishioner kicked down the aisle.

The Bishop of Haarlem said the service "did not do justice to the sacred nature of the Eucharist" but parish vice-chairman Win Bijman said church-goers were "shocked and disappointed" by Mr Vlaar's suspension.

Mr Vlaar's plea for divine intervention clearly fell on deaf ears, as Holland lost 1-0 in extra time. He was not available for comment today.