Sweatshop Crucifixes Stir Up Unholy Mess for Church

Revelations that crucifixes in their gift shops are made in a Chinese sweatshop has shocked officials at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity Episcopal Church, who removed the crosses from stores, reports Newsday. Young workers at the crucifix factory reportedly work 15-hour days in poor conditions for only 26 cents an hour. The $1.40 crosses sell for $17.95 at St. Pat's.

Officials from both churches vowed to investigate. But a spokesman for St. Patrick's also accused the labor advocate who announced information about the crucifixes to reporters outside the cathedral of intentionally embarrassing the church. Cathedral visitors were taken aback by the news. "You'd think a church would be upholding the basic principles of human rights," said one. (More sweatshop stories.)