Belgium: Installing vending candles

According to an article published on the website InfoCatho.be on July 15, 2014 the candle distribution system set up in the spring to deter thieves at the Cathedral of Tournai, Belgium, has been proven. Like an automated drink or candy machine, the test was to see if the machine would bring more funds to the parish."This is a test to see if it works, and we see that this is already the case. There are the same numbers of candles in the cathedral, but more money in the coffers," says the head of procurement, Yves Harvengt. Tournai Cathedral previously relied on the honesty of its faithful to slide a few euro cents in a box in exchange for a candle. This method was replaced shortly before Easter with one less generous to the dishonest and thieves than that previously used in the cathedral.

(Sources: Apic / infocatho.be - DICI No. 300 of 09/12/14)