By ALASTAIR TAYLOR
Published: 22 Dec 2009
Add a comment (39)
A VICAR has caused uproar by encouraging the needy to SHOPLIFT.
Father Tim Jones said stealing would compensate for society letting down the poor.
His support for theft came in his Christmas sermon at St Lawrence Church, York. But he was branded irresponsible by cops, church chiefs and politicians.
Fr Jones said it was OK for hard-up people to shoplift - because "God's love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich".
The 42-year-old said in his Christmas sermon that life could be particularly hard for people such as those just out of jail who could not get benefits.
He added: "My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift. I do not offer such advice because I think that stealing is a good thing, or because I think it is harmless, for it is neither. 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 would ask them not to take any more than they need, for any longer than they need.
"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."
Father Jones caused fury addressing his congregation at St Lawrence Church, York.
The dad of two said stealing was the only way for some people to survive during the recession because society neglected the needy.
And he believed it was far better they shoplifted than turn to more degrading or violent alternatives, such as prostitution, mugging or burglary.
He said: "My advice does not contradict the Bible's eighth commandment (Thou Shalt Not Steal) because God's love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich."
A spokesman for North Yorks Police said: "Shoplifting is a criminal offence and to justify this course of action under any circumstances is highly irresponsible."
Shopkeeper Babs Fitzpatrick, 58, who runs Leeman Stores, York, said: "It's incredible a priest can give this sort of advice."
Her assistant, Jasmine Swann, 18, added: "The other day a man came in, calmly took a bottle of vodka and walked straight out. You feel helpless but I'm not going to have a go at him. He could have a knife."
Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "We are appalled by the remarks from Father Jones. It is outrageous."
The Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed, said: "The Church of England does not advise anyone to break the law in any way.
"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."
a.taylor@the-sun.co.uk
from http://www.thesun.co.uk
(thanks to Jackie and Mark)
Use the comment feature to VOTE on whether this is a fail or win. I don't know what to make of this story....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment