A[n] [Anglican] 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.

Read it all and there is more there.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE) • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Culture-Watch • Poverty • Religion & Culture • * Economics, Politics • Economy • The Credit Freeze Crisis of Fall 2008/The Recession of 2007-- • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Pastoral Theology

1. Oriscus wrote: The sermon as published is rather clear.  Not sure I think it prudent, but it reflects a pastoral understanding of circumstances.  Here in the southern US, I have known homeless people to welcome jail time for the regular meals.  Unless you yourself employ or work alongside (the building’s janitorial staff doesn’t count) or count as your neighbor (i.e. somebody you’d converse with at the mailbox) an ex-convict, shut up.  You’re probably part of the problem. December 24, 3:08 am | [comment link]

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