The Church emphasizes that Good Friday is a legal holiday in Chile precisely because the State recognizes this celebration as a common good.
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In an unprecedented decision, the retail chains Falabella, Ripley and Paris announced that they will reopen their doors this Good Friday, breaking with a tradition that has historically been respected in the country. The measure has generated a strong reaction from unions and from the Church, which consider it a violation of the spiritual and communal meaning of the date.
In response, the Church of Santiago, through its archbishop, Cardinal Fernando Chomali, issued a strongly worded statement after holding a meeting with representatives of the unions of these companies. The text expresses the workers’ deep sorrow and questions the company’s decision, noting that it will prevent thousands of employees from participating in Holy Week religious celebrations, also affecting family life and the communitarian experience of a day considered sacred by a large part of the population.
