The debate might have played out on predictable lines - business for and unions against - but the Sheeran factor has complicated the matter.

There are fears that a ban on Easter trading will make it hard for Dunedin to host the 65,000 extra concertgoers.

The city is already dealing with an accommodation shortage over Easter, and it has become a problem for pubs trying to get around tough Easter trading liquor restrictions.

The council's own stadium company, Dunedin Venues, warned the city might lose $7 million in extra tourist spending.

In August, the council voted to put out for consultation a draft policy that allows shops to open on Easter Sunday.

RNZ reported public opinion appeared divided, with the 180 submissions split about 45 percent for and 55 percent against Easter Sunday trading.

This week the City Council has been receiving submissions on the issue.

Union and church representatives want to keep the shops closed, saying Easter was the only Sunday of the year retail workers knew they could have family time.

The Otago Daily Times reported the chief executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Dougal McGowan, coming to the hearing with a survey that included the question: "Should retail businesses be allowed to be open on Easter Sunday?"

While 62% said yes, 34% said no to the question.

In February Sheeran said he had fallen in love with New Zealand - and he was thinking about becoming a citizen.

Last week he said Wellington - not Dunedin! - was his most favourite city in the world.

Source

• RNZ
• Dunedin City Council
• ODT
• ODT
• Stuff
• Image: All Events

In an interview with ZENIT, the cardinal-designate expresses his belief that Christians must "accept wholeheartedly the culture in which we are to accomplish our mission: a pluralistic culture, a secularized society."

"This culture is also an opportunity," he says, because it enables one to "discover the freedom of the faith."

ZENIT: Your Eminence, did you expect this nomination?

Cardinal-designate De Kesel: I didn't expect it at all. I was at Monaco for the meeting of Presidents of the European Episcopal Conferences. It was the end, Sunday after Mass. I was already on the bus to go to the airport and all of a sudden bishops came to see me to congratulate me. I didn't know anything. I didn't even know that the Pope had the intention to publish the names. I couldn't believe it, I never even thought of it …

ZENIT: How do you see this new mission?

Cardinal-designate De Kesel: The "creation" will take place on November 19. I will see what is expected of me at Rome. Perhaps I must become a Consultor in a Congregation, but for the moment I don't know anything. This nomination is a sign of confidence on the part of the Holy See, not only for me but also for our Church in Belgium, which is living certain difficulties, confronted with a secularized culture.

ZENIT: What are your wishes as Archbishop for your diocese?

Cardinal-designate De Kesel: My wish here is to revitalize the Church somewhat. I think that we must accept wholeheartedly the culture in which we have to accomplish our mission: a pluralistic society, a secularized society. It is a profound conviction in me. This culture is also an opportunity, a grace for the Church. In fact, previously Christians were led by society itself.

This is no longer the case, but this new situation enables one to discover the freedom of the faith. As a pastor, I wish to encourage our Christian communities; I do not want to hold an anti-modern discourse. It's our society; it's in this society that we are called to accomplish our mission. We want a living Church open to the world, and a Church that is solidaristic, even if it's smaller than previously.

The joys, the pains and the anxieties of the men of today are also the joys, the pains and the anxieties of the disciples of Christ. I wish for a Church that accepts the culture in which she lives and that is open to the world, while remaining faithful to the treasure she has received from the Lord in the Gospel. Continue reading

Sources

• Zenit
• Image: Le Soir