A PRIEST has sparked an unholy row in Britain after using his Christmas sermon to advise people to shoplift.

Father Tim Jones, 41, told his stunned congregation that his controversial view did not break the eighth commandment "Thou shalt not steal" because "God's love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich."

The Sun reports that the clergyman was slammed by police and politicians after he broke off from his traditional annual sermon in York to claim that stealing was often the only way for people to survive during the recession.

Delivering his festive lesson he said: "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."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said shoplifting was first and foremost a criminal offence and to justify it under any circumstances was "highly irresponsible".

"We recognise some people find themselves in difficult circumstances but support is readily available and must be sought."

Read more about the shoplifting sermon at The Sun