A pastor has publicly defended his decision to hire a convicted paedophile, comparing the crime to shop lifting.
Pastor Michael Orten has hired a convicted sex offender at Truth Apostolic Church in the in Madisonville, Kentucky, in the USA.
Thomas Hopper spent ten years in prison for the rape and sodomy at knifepoint of a 13-year-old girl in the 1990s.
He has since been arrested a number of times following his release the early 2000s.
Hopper has been taken on as a part of the church's outreach staff, according to 14 News.
When asked about hiring a convicted rapist on 14 News, Pastor Michael Orten said: "How long ago was that? Is the church no good for forgiveness?"
He went on: "If you steal a piece of candy from a store because you were young and stupid and make stupid mistakes.
"You're still a thief even though now you're 40 years old?"
The reporter challenged him saying rape and shop lifting were very different offences, however Orten retorted: "No it's not. No it's not.
"It's still sin and if you get caught there are consequences and you will pay."
Hopper will not be allowed to work with children and is on the Kentucky Sex Offenders Register.
Truth Apostolic Church declined to comment.
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Article by Hannah Tooley
Hannah Tooley is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
