wfn.org | European Parliament Directive Threatens Days of Worship

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

August 28, 1998
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DIRECTIVE THREATENS DAYS OF WORSHIP
98/28/02

London, United Kingdom, (APD) The British Department of Trade 
and Industry has confirmed that a European Parliament Directive 
passed earlier this month may affect the observance of days of 
worship, according to press reports.

The Directive permits employers to require employees to operate 
on a 14-day period, which would include two rest days at the 
end. This would mean that weekly observance of a day of worship 
would not be possible, should employers choose to utilise such 
a working schedule.

John Alexander, Campaign Manager of the Keep Sunday Special 
Campaign is reported as saying that no protection was offered 
to employees who, on the grounds of conscience and religious 
practice (whether on a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday), were 
unwilling to work on a specific day of the week. 

Reacting for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Britain, John 
Surridge, Communication director said that "the implementation 
of this Directive will reduce religious liberty and negatively 
affect the fundamental human right to a day of worship. We call 
on those concerned not to support or implement this problematic 
Directive."