New vices for the new millennium

To err is human, to forgive divine - unless you're Catholic, when forgiveness only comes after the process of confession.

The Catholic church's seven deadly sins have been largely of an individual's making.

But the modern offerings by the Vatican - which could find some of us writhing in the pits of hellfire - are of a more social nature.

Lacking the simple ring that made the old sins such great literary fodder, the up-to-date edition takes into account the effects of globalisation.

There's now -

• drug abuse
• genetic manipulation
• morally debatable experiments
• environmental pollution
• social inequalities and social injustice
• causing poverty
• accumulating excessive wealth

Perhaps the Vatican decided it was time for a change of sins following a recent survey that said that 60 per cent of Italian Catholics did not go to confession. Some priest have welcomed it.

Email us your suggestions for some new "deadly sins".

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