English Ecclesiastical Court Debating Ethics Of Internet-Ready Mobile Phones

Life Style Extra yesterday carried a fascinating report about a case that is currently being argued on appeal in the little-known Court of Arches, the Church of England's highest appellate court. At issue is whether Anglican churches can rent out space on their steeples to mobile phone companies for use as cell phone transmission towers. At least 37 chruches around Britain have done so, finding this to be an excellent source of income. Indeed the Archbishop's Council has even entered a National Agreement with QS4 appointing it as the approved installer of transmitting and receiving equipment on church towers, and creating a standard installation agreement tailored to the needs of churches. However, recently George Pulman, QC, the chancellor of the Chelmsford Consistory Court, ruled that the parish of St. Peter and St. Paul in Chingford, Essex could not enter an agreement with QS4 because T-Mobile's new Internet capable mobile phones allow users to view sexually explicit websites. Pulman held that the church should not be making money from "revolting and damaging pornography".