On March 19th Dr. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland, will preach in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford at 10am and launch the ‘Joy Bells’ of Waterford 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 ringing 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 11 am.
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.
We will ring out hate, xenophobia, exploitation and fear and ring in a call for solidarity, truth and justice.
Christians across the world, are invited to ring their bells on March 19th in protest and in solidarity and spread the word far and wide about this peal. Cabinteely Parish will ring its new bells on Sunday 19th March every 15 minutes between 11 AM and 12 Noon that day.