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In a bid to spur economic growth, outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti backed a new law that allows shops to stay open on the Sabbath.
But Sunday traditions are strong in the European nation, and the change provoked strong resistance from religious and secular groups.
The issue extends beyond Italy. In Brussels, dozens of religious groups—including the Catholic Church—unions and business associations from 27 countries have formed the 'European Sunday Alliance' to lobby the European Union to keep Sunday as a continent-wide day of rest, at least in principle.
Johanna Touzel, the alliance's spokeswoman, said that setting Sunday aside is not necessarily a religious issue, and not discriminatory towards Jews and Muslims. 'We need one day when everyone can rest—this is the origin of Shabbat. And in fact, even Muslim organizations support us.
For the Catholic Church, keeping Sundays free from shopping and work concerns is of larger consequence than the economy.
Read the entire article, Vatican Works to Stop Sunday Shopping in Italy
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