THE JOY BELLS OF WATERFORD
Listen to the person who will launch the Joy Bells action against racism, former president of Ireland, Mary Mc Aleese talking about the plans on Marian Finucane’s radio programme last Saturday.
Listen to the Very Reverend Maria Jansson, Dean of Waterford, talking about JOY BELL plans on RTE Radio 1’s Leap of Faith on 10 February 2017.
(Her interview begins 20 minutes into programme)
On March 19th Dr. Mary McAleese, LAST President of Ireland, will preach in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford at 10am and launch the cathedral ‘Joy Bells’ following the service at 11am.
In the summer of 2014, a fascist demonstration was organised in the area surrounding Västerås Cathedral in Sweden. As the rally began the cathedral bells tolled loud and clear over the city, drowning out the sounds of hate and racism. Bells can sound alarm but also solidarity. They are part of many cultures and religions, ringing out the old and bringing in the new. In Waterford, the bells of the Christ Church Cathedral are known locally as the ‘Joy Bells’. They have been silenced for renovation but will ring again on March 19th at 11am. Their sound will herald joy not hate, welcome not exclusion, co-responsibility not exploitation.
It is time for the Christian message of love to be proclaimed in solidarity with women and men terrified by the increased legitimating of hate that is emerging these last months. At a time when there is worldwide fear and disquiet, we will ring a bell peal that we hope will be echoed throughout the world and hope to make a different sound:
- ringing out misogyny, hate, xenophobia, exploitation and fear
- ringing in solidarity, truth and justice.
Together let us drown the brutal sounds of hate with the call for justice.
Make a loud noise that those who are made invisible by hate will hear our solidarity.
We invite you to ring your bells on March 19th at 11am in protest and in solidarity and spread the word far and wide about this peal.
The City of Sanctuary movement is supporting this initiative in over 100 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. Bells will ring out from St Paul’s Within the Walls (Anglican) in Rome, and well as in London, Newark Diocese in the US, Notre Dame University (US), London, Cashel, and Lismore, Balagherdereen, Mulhuddard… to name the quickest responders.
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