Background

In Re St Mary the Virgin Morpeth [2024] ECC New 2, the petitioners – the Revd Simon White, Rector of Morpeth, Dr Andrew Mowat, a churchwarden, and Camilla Stephenson, the Supervising Location Manager for DNA Films – sought a faculty to permit the filming within the church during June and July 2024 of a sequel to two “horror” films: 28 Days and 28 Weeks After. The sequel was to portray “a post-apocalyptic world in which people are largely infected by a ‘rage’ virus which leads them to violence” [1&2]. Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle was to direct the film, which would star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes [4].

The Diocesan Advisory Committee did not recommend the proposal for approval, while a member of the PCC objected to the proposal and, though not wishing to become a party opponent, asked for her views to be taken into account. In the circumstances, said Wood Ch, “this is not an unopposed petition” [5]. Continue reading →