The Methodist Church in Northern Ireland is not all happy-clappy about the proposals for bookmakers to open on a Sunday, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
In June, the Church will present a report at its annual conference in Cork, with recommendations from the Church's Council on Social Responsibility.
"We disagree with the proposal to remove the prohibition on the opening of bookmakers' offices on Sundays and we are deeply concerned about Sunday opening and gambling proliferation," the report reads.
The council added that if the bookies must open on a Sunday, then at least the hours should be restricted: "We welcome the continued prohibition on Christmas Day and Good Friday opening, and should the government decide to open bookmakers' premises on a Sunday, we strongly recommend that Easter Sunday should be considered as an addition to the special days for prohibition."
It did however concede that in today's multi-cultural society it was difficult to argue for the primacy of one day over another.
"However," the report continued, "the Christian tradition of this country means that Sunday is a well-established day of rest in Northern Ireland society, and it would be extremely difficult to move to another day."
The Methodist Church in Northern Ireland is not all happy-clappy about the proposals for bookmakers to open on a Sunday, according to the Belfast Telegraph.