RJ showed me something rather interesting this evening which was a catalogue from a company that supplies church furniture and priestly apparel.

I was rather shocked by it.

If you ever wonder why so many churches are in a state of disrepair then you only need look at a catalogue like this from such blatant robbing swine.

Over £1000 for a 36" nativity figure, nearly £200 for a stole (essentially a scarf), a similar figure for a simple lectern and obscene amounts of money (almost four figures) for robes that would cost under £50 if you could get them from Monsoon.

It seems that in addition to companies offering products for weddings, funerals and births you can now add church suppliers as companies that really take the piss.

All the more shocking given the limited budgets of churches, the needs of poor communities and the low salary of the clergy.

This company may as well walk into your local service and run off with the collection plate - theft is theft even via a glossy catalogue. For shame.