Sponsored by
Thou shalt steal: But only if desperate: Police condemn priest's advice in sermon as 'irresponsible'
A PRIEST from York has been criticised by police for "highly irresponsible'' comments in a sermon advising desperate people to shoplift.
Father Tim Jones, 41, claimed on Sunday that stealing from large national chains was sometimes the best option open to vulnerable people.
He added that it was far better for people desperate during the recession to shoplift than turn to "prostitution, mugging or burglary".
Delivering his Nativity message at St Lawrence C of E Church in York, Father Jones told the congregation: "My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift.
"I would ask that they do not steal from small family businesses, but from large national businesses, knowing that the costs are ultimately passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher prices.
"I offer the advice with a heavy heart and wish society would recognise that bureaucratic ineptitude and systematic delay has created an invitation and incentive to crime for people struggling to cope."
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "First and foremost, shoplifting is a criminal offence and to justify this course of action under any circumstances is highly irresponsible. Turning or returning to crime will only make matters worse, that is a guarantee."
A British Retail Consortium spokesman said: "You'd expect a vicar to appreciate the difference between right and wrong. Shoplifting is wrong and it's not more or less wrong depending on who the victim is."
The Archdeacon of York Richard Seed, said: "The Church of England does not advise anyone to shoplift, or break the law. Father Jones is raising important issues about the difficulties people face when benefits are not forthcoming, but shoplifting is not the way to overcome these difficulties."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
