A RECENTLY retired churchman has spoken out against the “unlovely and unedifying” nature of Black Friday.

The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, who retired as Dean of Durham in September, said the annual “festival of retail”, which falls tomorrow (Friday, November 27), was shopping mayhem, with “normally rational people” fighting over TV sets, game consoles, bottles of perfume and more.

He said the “annual pre-Christmas sport” was worrying, but reminded him of Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified.

In a blog, he wrote: “Black Friday inevitably reminds us of Good Friday, the day we remember the self-emptying of Jesus on the cross.

“But this year Christmas Day also falls on a Friday, so there is another Friday to look forward to that is filled with the vision of goodness and generosity.

“Let’s get Black Friday over with… (and) look forward to the Golden Friday of peace and goodwill that will this year be Christmas Day.”

Christ in a Choppie Box, a collection of Mr Sadgrove’s sermons, is available now priced £9.99.

To read his blog, visit sacristy.co.uk