Pope says off-books hiring is grave sin

(ANSA) - Vatican City, February 20 - Pope Francis said Friday that employers who hire workers off the books to avoid paying taxes and social security contributions were committing a "very grave sin". "You cannot make donations to the Church on the back of the injustice that you commit with your employees," the Argentine pontiff said during a homily at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican where he lives. "Using God to cover injustice is a very grave sin. "If you go to Mass on Sunday and take communion, you should ask: what is the relationship with your employees? Do you pay them off the books? Do you pay them a fair salary? Do you pay the pension contributions".