Archbishop of York hits out at bankers
Tory leader David Cameron and his wife Samantha walk to the Christmas Service at York Minster
THE Archbishop of York has launched an outspoken attack on greed in the banking system as the economic crisis provided a focus for many of the traditional messages from religious leaders on Christmas Day.
Preaching at York Minster, Dr John Sentamu warned banks against "exploitative lending", urging them not to "enrich themselves at their poor neighbours' expense" as households, businesses and workers battle the current economic turmoil.
Dr Sentamu told worshippers: "If I enrich myself at my poor neighbour's expense when they are in financial straits, I certainly have the wrong attitude on the matter.
"True charity repudiates the idea of personal gain as a result of lending money to make ruthless gain - usury - bringing about permanent disappropriation and enslavement.
"Clearly the way to come closer to God is to be generous and honest towards our fellow human beings."
The Archbishop also urged the country to rediscover the spirit of wartime solidarity in an attempt to see its way through the economic turmoil.
He said: "In the present economic crisis we need to rediscover that spirit of togetherness that helped the British people during the Second World War to stand together in the face of food rationing and the Blitz.
"We had better stand together or we will all hang separately economically."
Tory leader David Cameron, his wife Samantha and their children were at the Minster.
They are staying at the stately home Sutton Park near York which is owned by Sir Reginald Sheffield, Mrs Cameron's father.
Dr Sentamu told worshippers: "If I enrich myself at my poor neighbour's expense when they are in financial straits, I certainly have the wrong attitude on the matter.
"True charity repudiates the idea of personal gain as a result of lending money to make ruthless gain - usury - bringing about permanent disappropriation and enslavement.
"Clearly the way to come closer to God is to be generous and honest towards our fellow human beings."
The Archbishop also urged the country to rediscover the spirit of wartime solidarity in an attempt to see its way through the economic turmoil.
He said: "In the present economic crisis we need to rediscover that spirit of togetherness that helped the British people during the Second World War to stand together in the face of food rationing and the Blitz.
"We had better stand together or we will all hang separately economically."
Tory leader David Cameron, his wife Samantha and their children were at the Minster.
They are staying at the stately home Sutton Park near York which is owned by Sir Reginald Sheffield, Mrs Cameron's father.
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