Businesses shouldn’t suffer due to religion

Bishop Cullinane of Waterford has written that to be consistent, if we allow alcohol to be sold on Good Friday, society would have to get rid of public celebration of all feast days, addressing the argument that the holy day is only for practicing Christians and discriminates against those of other religions or none.

Nobody is saying that there should not be a public holiday on good Friday. I believe no-one should be denied a service, a right to celebrate or a right to earn because of the religious beliefs of others. Business can still operate on other public holidays, bar Christmas day, and this religious feast day is denying them that right.

His argument about self-restraint for a higher goal is largely irrelevant, and I am sure that no altar wine will be consumed on that day.