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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Blasphemy' row over erotic shots | 'Blasphemy' row over erotic shots |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Legal action is being taken against a photographer who used a Cornish village for an erotic photo shoot. | |
| Pictures of models, some of whom were partially-clothed, were taken inside and outside St Michael Penkivel Church near Truro. | Pictures of models, some of whom were partially-clothed, were taken inside and outside St Michael Penkivel Church near Truro. |
| Cornwall-based photographer Andy Craddock is the subject of legal action by the priest in charge for blasphemy. | Cornwall-based photographer Andy Craddock is the subject of legal action by the priest in charge for blasphemy. |
| However, Mr Craddock, 43, of St Austell, described the pictures as "art" and said they were not offensive. | However, Mr Craddock, 43, of St Austell, described the pictures as "art" and said they were not offensive. |
| By anyone's reasonable standards of decency this is beyond the pale Jeremy Downing, Diocese of Truro | By anyone's reasonable standards of decency this is beyond the pale Jeremy Downing, Diocese of Truro |
| Mr Craddock, who moved to Cornwall from London in 2008, said he used the 13th Century church for the shoot because he had seen it in the comedy movie Keeping Mum. | Mr Craddock, who moved to Cornwall from London in 2008, said he used the 13th Century church for the shoot because he had seen it in the comedy movie Keeping Mum. |
| He said he admired the architecture and wanted the pictures to add to his portfolio of fetishist and erotic photography. | He said he admired the architecture and wanted the pictures to add to his portfolio of fetishist and erotic photography. |
| He told BBC News: "I can understand why some people would find them offensive and inappropriate. | He told BBC News: "I can understand why some people would find them offensive and inappropriate. |
| "But the general feedback has been very positive. | "But the general feedback has been very positive. |
| "I never wanted to offend. This is done as art and shows the beauty of women." | "I never wanted to offend. This is done as art and shows the beauty of women." |
| The solicitor's letter describes blasphemy as the "publication of contemptuous, reviling, scurrilous or ludicrous matter relating to God, Jesus Christ, the Bible or the formularies of the Church of England". | The solicitor's letter describes blasphemy as the "publication of contemptuous, reviling, scurrilous or ludicrous matter relating to God, Jesus Christ, the Bible or the formularies of the Church of England". |
| "Our clients believe that a number of these photographs constitute blasphemous material," it adds. | "Our clients believe that a number of these photographs constitute blasphemous material," it adds. |
| Andrew Yates, the priest in charge of St Michael Penkivel, said in a statement: "No permission was ever sought by or given to Mr Craddock by the priest-in-charge or by the churchwardens for these photographs. | Andrew Yates, the priest in charge of St Michael Penkivel, said in a statement: "No permission was ever sought by or given to Mr Craddock by the priest-in-charge or by the churchwardens for these photographs. |
| "I am deeply shocked that Mr Craddock could consider taking action that will inevitably cause great offence." | "I am deeply shocked that Mr Craddock could consider taking action that will inevitably cause great offence." |
| 'Entirely improper' | 'Entirely improper' |
| He said it had cause upset to "those who have connections to the church through being married at St Michael's or through loved ones who are buried in the churchyard". | He said it had cause upset to "those who have connections to the church through being married at St Michael's or through loved ones who are buried in the churchyard". |
| Jeremy Dowling, a spokesman for the Diocese of Truro, which is supporting the legal action, said the church was used without permission. | Jeremy Dowling, a spokesman for the Diocese of Truro, which is supporting the legal action, said the church was used without permission. |
| "The Church deplores the use of sacred space in this way," he said. | "The Church deplores the use of sacred space in this way," he said. |
| "Whether he's gone in there legally or illegally he is using the setting for an entirely improper purpose. | "Whether he's gone in there legally or illegally he is using the setting for an entirely improper purpose. |
| "By anyone's reasonable standards of decency this is beyond the pale." | "By anyone's reasonable standards of decency this is beyond the pale." |