What was the Catholic Church's stance on hockey in the 19th century?

The Catholic Church's stance on hockey in the 19th century was predominantly one of condemnation, viewing the game as socially dangerous. This perspective was rooted in concerns regarding the potential impact of certain sports on moral development and social behavior.

Hockey, with its physicality and rough nature, raised alarms within some religious circles about encouraging violence and detracting from values promoted by the Church. The fear was that the aggressive aspects of the sport could lead to unruliness and distract from spiritual matters. The Church often emphasized the need for activities that would promote moral behavior rather than those perceived as fostering aggression or social strife.

This stance aligns with broader patterns of scrutiny towards various leisure activities during that time, where many institutions, including the Church, often sought to guide the moral compass of society. While there were movements towards a more positive view of physical health and recreation later on, the initial reaction to hockey was largely negative, leading the Church to position itself firmly against it.

The other options suggest a more favorable view or a neutral position towards sports, which did not reflect the initial stance taken by the Church during the 19th century.