Photographer Accused Of Blasphemy

August 1, 2009 | Filed under: UK News | Posted by: Edgar Allan McAbe

Neolestat Kate and Bex Photographer Andy Craddock is being sued by an uptight diocese for using a 13th century church in a fine art nude photo shoot.

The Diocese of Truro are seeking legal action against Craddock for allegedly trespassing at the St Michael Penkivel Church in Cornwall and taking photographs without permission. But on top of the allegations of trespass the Reverend Andrew Yates has made a point of accusing Mr Craddock of blasphemy for taking photographs of semi clad women inside the church and also draped across tombstones.

Rev Yates’ solicitors draughted a letter to Mr Craddock where they describe his work as a “contemptuous, reviling, scurrilous or ludicrous matter relating to God, Jesus Christ, the Bible or the formularies of the Church of England”.

A spokesman for the Dioces of Truro told the Daily Mail that, “The Church deplores the use of sacred space in this way. The pictures would be deeply offensive to people who view the place for regular worship. That’s not what these buildings are intended for and he is deliberately taking advantage of the situation.”

“Whether he’s gone in there legally or illegally he is using the setting for an entirely improper purpose.”

This attitude seems to conflict completely with the Church of England’s policy on art. On the Church of England’s website Churchart they claim that “Whether in small rural parishes or in the great cathedral cities, the church is still part of the continuum of support and patronage of the arts. Art can inspire, explain, celebrate and illuminate the Christian faith and, no matter how humbly, reflect the greater glory of God.”

Andy Craddock runs Neolestat, a photography company who specialise within the alternative lifestyle market. Mr Craddock has worked extensively with many of London’s top “alternative” companies and has photographed numerous different Burlesque, Fetish, Cabaret and Alternative Lifestyle events such as the Gay Pride festivals and London’s Burlesque Festival. The Neolestat website features a whole selection of Mr Craddock’s highly impressive works.

Mr Craddock told the Daily Mail that he chose the location of St Michael Penkivel Church after seeing it featured in the film Keeping Mum, a black comedy starring Rowan Atkinson and Patrick Swayze which tells the story of a serial killer.

“I chose the church because I saw it in Keeping Mum and I loved the architecture.” Craddock said.

“How is it worse having someone naked in the church than having a film set there about murder and death? If the parishioners are upset by the naked girls on their altar, why are they not as upset about murders set around the church and the village?”

Neolestat ~ Sheena