Since the August 12, 2015 radio broadcast of Pope Francis, Bishop Gianfranco Todisco of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa has written an open letter to Nicola Glimpse, the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles urging him to close his plant in Melfi from 10:00pm on Saturdays to 10:00pm on Sundays.
Thankful that an improving economy will improve fathers’ ability to provide for their families, the bishop wrote that “experience teaches us that Sunday Rest is essential, not only to restore their physical strength – work on an assembly line is hard, despite efforts to make it lighter – but also to strengthen family ties, which are essential for the healthy growth of human relations.” He also cited Pope Francis radio message on August 12, by writing that “the time for rest, especially on Sundays, is meant for us because we can enjoy what is not produced and does not wear out, do not buy and do not sell…”
Sunday rest, he continued “not only promotes the welfare of the family, but also becomes the best investment a company can make… because it gives top priority to the dignity of the human person, with his legitimate needs and aspirations that cannot be put to death by the law of profit.”
Notice that the bishop makes the case for not buying and selling on Sunday. Also notice that he does not keep Sabbath time (sundown to sundown) on Sunday, but his own suggestions, i.e. 10:00pm to 10:00pm. It is also worthy of note, that the bishop did not quote scripture in his letter as his authority for pressuring the CEO to observe Sunday sacredness in his plant. He only quotes Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.
Yet this very class put forth the claim that the fast-spreading corruption is largely attributable to the desecration of the so-called “Christian sabbath,” and that the enforcement of Sunday observance would greatly improve the morals of society… It is one of Satan’s devices to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give it plausibility. The leaders of the Sunday movement may advocate reforms which the people need, principles which are in harmony with the Bible; yet while there is with these a requirement which is contrary to God’s law, His servants cannot unite with them. Nothing can justify them in setting aside the commandments of God for the precepts of men. The Great Controversy, pages 587 and 588.
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