Church legal threat over 'sick and sacrilegious' PlayStation game set in Manchester

Church leaders have accused Sony of the "desecration" of Manchester Cathedral, after the firm set one of its top-selling games inside the place of worship.

The new PlayStation3 game, titled Resistance: Fall of Man, which has sold more than one million copies, sees a virtual shoot-out between rival gunman with hundreds killed during a gun battle inside the cathedral in an orgy of blood.

Church officials described Sony's use of the building as "sick" and sacrilegious.

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The Church say 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 is also 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.

"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.

No one was available at Sony today for comment. David Wilson, a Sony spokesman, told The Times: "It is game-created footage, it is not video or photography. It is entertainment, like Doctor Who or any other science fiction. It is not based on reality at all. Throughout the whole process we have sought permission where necessary."

The Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, added: "This is an important issue, for many young people these games offer a different sort of reality and seeing guns in Manchester Cathedral is not the sort of connection we want to make.

"Every year we invite hundreds of teenagers to come and see the Cathedral and it is a shame to have Sony undermining our work."

A spokesman for the Church of England said a letter will be sent to Sony on Monday and if its demands for an apology and withdrawal of the game are not met the Church will look at legal action.