HOLY water has never been so expensive.
In recent weeks, the Southport Visiter has reported how local families, local businesses and even the local authority have suffered after hefty demands for utility bills thudded onto their doormats.
Now even our churches are not immune from big firms trying to squeeze every last drop from them after Ofwat gave the green light for the imposition of a controversial new charge.
Local clergymen now fear that churches - many of whom are already under great financial pressure due to falling congregations and growing repair and maintenance bills - could face closure.
Like the proverbial tea cup stemming the rainwater flooding through the church roof, it will take a lot of bailing out just to stay afloat.
No wonder church leaders are furious that much of local people's profound generosity - displayed in filling collection plates each week, or contributing to the church fair - will now go straight into utility firms' ever-deepening pockets.
Places of worship play an incredible role in our community.
They are safe havens for the very people who need help the most. Their support is unquestioning. They give people hope, they get them back on their feet when others turn away.
They celebrate our marriages, help us mourn our deaths, mark our arrivals into this world.
They provide luncheon clubs, meeting places for parents and toddlers, Sunday school and holiday clubs for youngsters, companionship and gifts for older people at Christmas.
Their many and varied projects help shelter and feed the homeless, and even support some remarkable projects rebuilding lives of those in the Third World.
How much of their superb work will now go undone? And at what human cost?
This new charge is disgraceful, grubby and money-grabbing - parishioners may as well pour their hard-earned cash down the drain. We hope they will continue to support our local churches now more than ever.
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