The Swiss bishops oppose the opening on shops on Sundays. In an open letter, the national Commission of Justice and Peace of the Swiss Episcopal Conference intervene on the bill before Parliament that makes provision for the Sunday opening of shops in public transport centres: railway stations and airports. “It is perfectly legitimate write Sister Nadja Bühlmann and Wolfgang Bürgstein, respectively chairman and secretary of the Commission to respond to the needs of travellers” but “there’s no need to take a decisive step towards the liberalization of working hours by accepting the opening of all shops”. “Sunday writes the Commission is the only day in the week in which the majority of people can still enjoy their own time”. The Church notes that this time left free from professional and economic demands is one from which family relations and social bonds especially draw benefit. Unfortunately, however, “the perception that an interruption in the rhythm of the week is beneficial is gradually tending to be eroded. But it seems to us more important not to sacrifice this spare time to purely economic needs and so prevent Sunday being turned into an ordinary weekday just like any other”.
