London, Dec 22 (IANS) A British priest has drawn criticism after advising the hungry they should shoplift.
Father Tim Jones, the parish priest of St Lawrence and St Hilda in the northern city of York, told his congregation that people who have fallen upon hard times should steal from big chains.

“My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift,” Jones told his flock.

“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 national businesses.

“When people are released from prison, or find themselves suddenly without work or family support, then to leave them for weeks and weeks with inadequate or clumsy social support is monumental, catastrophic folly.

“We create a situation which leaves some people little option but crime,” he added.

The remarks prompted a furious response from the church, police and retailers.

The Archdeacon of York said: “The Church of England does not advise anyone to shoplift” and North Yorkshire Police described the sermon as “highly irresponsible”.

A spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses said: “We’re appalled by his remarks. Despite the suggestion shoplifters should target larger businesses, most shoplifting takes place in small businesses.”

Jones later told BBC York his remarks were intended to prod people into giving more to charity.

In 2007, Jones urged his congregation to not practise yoga, claiming it falsely teaches people that they can achieve enlightenment through something other than religion.

A year later he made the news again when he went into a local shop and threw the adult Playboy merchandise on the floor, claiming they were aimed at children.