Vanity of Vanities, Saith the Preacher, Vanity of Vanities; All Is Vanity.

From the New York Post:

TALE OF BEAUTY AND THE PRIEST

'STOLE' 85G FOR NIP/TUCK

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the cutest clergyman of all?

A 66-year-old Staten Island pastor trying desperately to turn back the clock ripped off nearly $85,000 from his congregation to pay for plastic surgery, Botox shots and fancy clothes, authorities said yesterday.

The Rev. William Blasingame, 66, a fixture at the historic St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church for more than 30 years, began breaking the Eighth Commandment in January 2005 and continued to steal for another three years, according to the Staten Island district attorney.

[snip]

The landmark church at 225 St. Pauls Ave. in Stapleton is renowned for its Victorian Gothic architecture -- and parishioners set up the Friends of St. Paul's foundation to fund the maintenance, upkeep and beautification of its grounds.

But Blasingame was using the money to fund his own beautification and upkeep (you gotta love the Post), officials said.

[snip]

Blasingame spent much of yesterday holed up in his Vanderbilt Avenue home, declining to speak to reporters who knocked on his door.

He apparently spent little or none of the stolen money to make improvements on anything but his face and wardrobe.

His rundown house sports a weed-strewn yard. Collapsed shutters decorate the windows.

His 22-year-old car was parked on the street yesterday with an old poster from the church and a Bible in the back seat.

An exquisite metaphor, even if unintentional.