Perth Voice Interactive

A THIEF who forgot the 10 Commandments has stolen a newly planted tree from St Mary’s church in Leederville.

Church member and Vincent councillor John Pintabona says the trees had been planted by elderly church volunteers Saturday June 22. But the thief set a new world record stealing an olive sapling just two days later.

A very forgiving Father Joseph Angelo extends an olive branch to the guilty party, charitably commenting: “I don’t think it was ‘stolen’… maybe ‘taken out of curiosity’.”

He says apart from this minor hiccup the area’s been safe and quiet: “There’s no vandalism, and no disturbances… this is something unusual”.

Father Angelo says if someone needed an olive tree that badly he would have given one if asked.

by DAVID BELL