By Stefan Morkis

A THIEF stole money from a Dundee church as its priest conducted its Maundy Thursday service last night.

Stunned members of the congregation watched as Canon Joe Morrow, who was conducting the service, chased the thief out of the church.

The robber had entered the St John The Baptist Episcopal Church on Albert Street during the service and made off with a jar containing cash donated by the congregation to buy flowers for the church.

Although only a few pounds were taken, Mr Morrow said the crime was as low as anything he had seen in nearly three decades working in Dundee.

Around 25 people were at last night’s service.

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is an important date in the Christian calendar.

It commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with the Apostles, the day before his crucifixion on Good Friday.

“I’m almost incandescent with rage,” said Mr Morrow, who is also a Dundee city councillor.

“It was just a few pounds he took but I had to chase him out of the church.”

Mr Morrow added, “He came in during the service, one of the most holy parts of the Christian calendar, and took a jar at the back that had money for flowers.

“I had to usher him outside but he wouldn’t give up the money.”

He added, “It is 28 years that I have worked in Dundee and I’ve not seen anything as low as that.”

Two years ago, thieves broke into the church through its roof and stole hundreds of pounds that had been collected to help children orphaned by AIDS and HIV in Swaziland.

They also stole money that had been collected for the charity CHAS.

Tayside Police are investigating the new incident.