Theft-call priest tells of 'vitriolic' Christians

Father Tim Jones, the parish priest of St Lawrence and St Hilda in York, caused controversy with a Nativity message saying that stealing from large national chains was sometimes the best option many vulnerable people had.

He also claimed during a Christmas sermon that it was far better for people desperate during the recession to shoplift than turn to "prostitution, mugging or burglary".

Father Jones gave a Maundy Thursday sermon at St Lawrence C of E Church in York last night when he revealed he had been subjected to abuse from "a small minority" of the Christian community.

And he told the congregation it had given him an insight into the experiences of the so-called "new atheists" including authors Philip Pullman and Richard Dawkins.

"A very large number of people emailed or wrote to me, expressing their opinions one way or the other. Many were civil, or thoughtful, or both," Fr Jones said.

"But very many expressed their Christian opposition in ways that were unrestrained, savage and coercive. Such Christians probably represent a small minority but they punch above their weight.

"I wouldn't be surprised if those – like Philip Pullman or Richard Dawkins – who express well publicised disagreement with Christianity receive that kind of correspondence all the time. I wonder if I had a glimpse into their perspective on Christianity.

"Maybe their personal experience of the Christian community is not an experience of servanthood and love, but is an experience of abusive bile?

"If so, I would be surprised if that kind of experience does not shape their attitude towards the Church, even towards God, to some degree."

Father Jones' Christmas sermon was condemned by North Yorkshire Police and was criticised as "misguided and foolish" by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey.

After preaching at another service shortly after making the remarks, Father Jones was approached by a man who threw a bucket of spaghetti and ravioli at him.