Most striking of all was the 'Holy Water Bucket', pictured here. Now I'm sure holy water does lose it's holiness if kept in, for example, a mixing bowl, or a rinsed out drinks bottle. Far better to enhance said holiness, and put the fear of the Almighty into any unclean spirits present, by having a shiny, gilded vat of the stuff. God, as we know, much prefers gold and riches to poverty and humility, no matter what Indiana Jones may say.
I'd be really interested to know if any readers have been involved in a church which has decided to spend its money in this way. I really can't get my head around it.
Update: as if by magic a Kevin Mayhew promotional email arrived today. Staff Pick of the Week was to spend the best part of £1000 on the stations of the cross. I'm sure Jesus would be delighted.
