Sunday should be kept for worship, family and community life say Belgian Bishops

Brussels, Belgium, Jun 7, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Yesterday, on the occasion of a debate over the increase of the phenomenon  of “ Sunday Shopping,” with many stores and shopping centers staying open, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belgium expressed their opinion that  Sunday should remain, as much as possible, a day of rest.  

“For all, Sunday is synonym of rest. This day allows people to dedicate time for family and friends. In a society with the deep mark of individualism, a collective limitation of working hours is necessary to allow a minimum of family contact and a true cultural and collective leisure life.” The statement begins.

“This only underlines the respect one should have for all those who are forced to work on Sunday and are at the service of the community.”

“Submitting Sunday to commercial pressure is done at the expense of community life.”

Finally the declaration reminds that “for Christians, Sunday is also a blessed and sanctified day, 'the Day of the Lord,' that allows people to dedicate time for collective prayer and cult, as well as for Christian reflection and a day to marvel before the beauty of creation.”

“This is why the bishops of Belgium do not wish to see Sunday taken away from its original sense, and becoming a day like others,” the statement concludes.