- Joined
- Aug 6, 2008
- Messages
- 4,968
- Points
- 48
LONDON - FOR a priest in northern England, the commandment that dictates 'thou shalt not steal' isn't exactly written in stone.
The Rev. Tim Jones caused an uproar by telling his congregation that it is sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift - as long as they do it at large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses.
His Robin Hood-like sermon drew rebukes on Tuesday from fellow clergy, shop owners and police. From his pulpit at the Church of St. Lawrence in York, about 355 kilometres north of London, Rev. Jones said in his sermon on Sunday that shoplifting can be justified if a person in real need is not greedy and does not take more than he or she really needs to get by.
The remarks drew a summons from Archdeacon Richard Seed, who said on his Web site that the church rejects the view that shoplifting can be acceptable. 'The Church of England does not advise anyone to shoplift, or break the law in any way,' he said.
'Father Tim 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. There are many organisations and charities working with people in need, and the Citizens' Advice Bureau is a good first place to call,' Rev. Seed's statement said.
Eleanor Course, a spokeswoman for Rev. Seed, said the archdeacon wants to meet with Rev. Jones to discuss the 'appropriateness' of his sermon. 'The point we are most concerned about is that shoplifting is simply not a blameless, victimless crime,' she said. 'We want to make clear that it simply doesn't help people. And the last thing a desperate person wants is to be caught for shoplifting, so we feel this advice is very unwise.' -- AP
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_469844.html