In a sweeping new move to protect people’s privacy, the Church of England has ruled that CCTV cameras must be switched off during services.
The precedent-setting case by the consistory court came in response to a petition by a Canterbury vicar to install two cameras at his historic 13th century church to ward off vandals.
The commissary general of the diocese authorized the move but said the cameras must be switched off during services, Sunday worship, secluded prayer areas and weddings, The Telegraph reported on Feb. 23.
“Funerals and baptisms, in particular, are examples of occasions on which people are likely to be very sensitive,” said Morag Ellis, adding that any recorded footage should be kept for a maximum of four weeks.
“Similarly, in any churches where sacramental Confession or other ministries of individual pastoral support, such as healing, are practiced, there should be no filming in the part or parts of the church set aside for that purpose.”
