Church slams Sony over computer game
Updated on 09 June 2007
The Church of England is threatening legal action against Sony after it used Manchester Cathedral as the backdrop to a violent computer game.
Religious leaders accused the firm of "desecrating" the cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man - a Playstation 3 game in which hundreds are killed during a virtual shoot-out inside the building.
The Church says Sony did not ask for permission to use the cathedral and has demanded an apology and the removal of the game from shop shelves - otherwise legal action will be considered.
Sony has not returned calls to officials from the Church.
The firm has also been branded irresponsible for choosing Manchester - a city plagued by gun violence which has left tens of youngsters dead.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, said: "It is well known that Manchester has a gun crime problem. For a global manufacturer to re-create one of our great Cathedrals with photo-realistic quality and then encourage people to have guns battles in the building is beyond belief and highly irresponsible."
He added: "Here in Manchester we do all we can to support communities through our parish clergy, we know the reality of gun crime and the devastating effects it can have on the lives - it is not a trivial matter."
It is understood photographers may have visited the Cathedral to take pictures for use in the game.
During the game players are asked to assume the role of an army sergeant and win a battle.
Screenshots of the game in play show the interior of the Cathedral with the player's gun ready to fight; soldiers can be seen elsewhere in the nave taking aim.
© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
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