A VICAR has turned the other cheek after pinning a message to a church door welcoming back thieves who stole cash from a collection box.
Rev Greg Bartlem typed out the note after the collection box at St Peter’s Church in Wellesbourne was forced open and emptied sometime during the day on Thursday (February 20) when the Church Street church was open to visitors.
The note pleads with the thieves to think about their actions and warns the church may have to be locked to those wanting to pray between services.
It read: “We are sad that someone has been stealing from and causing damage to our beautiful 800-year-old church.
“If this is you, we ask that you think about your actions and the hut you have done to your whole community. We really don’t want to lock our church but will have to if the problems continue.
“As Christians we want you to know that we are praying for you and that you are still welcome here if you wish to pray or come to service. God never turns his back on anyone. But please think about your actions and the damage they have done to our community.
“Thank you.”
There was also a break-in at at the neighbouring community church centre, also on Church Street, just two days later.
Thieves broke in through an office window and once inside damaged doors in a failed bid to get through them.
It is not known if anything was taken.
Police are investigating both incidents and are keen to hear from anyone with information. Call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
