Pollution could become official sin

A theological think tank that informs Vatican policy has listed polluting the earth as a potential addition to the traditional seven deadly sins.

Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, The Pope’s second in matters of penance, told priests there were new sins threatening the modern soul.

The remarks were made at a seminar organised by the Apostolic Penitentiary, the catholic body charged with fixing punishments and indulgences handed down to sinner.

Genetic manipulation, drug pushing, accumulating excessive wealth, abortion and paedophilia were also listed by the Archbishop as sins which are particularly relevant to the modern world.

Sam Bond