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Joy Bells in Waterford

Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford.
Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford.

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.  Dr Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland, will preach in the Cathedral at 10am and launch the ‘Joy Bells’ of Waterford following the service.

Bells can sound alarm but also solidarity.  In the summer of 2014, a fascist demonstration was organised in the area surrounding Västerås Cathedral in Sweden.  As it began the cathedral bells tolled loud and clear over the city, drowning out the sounds of the rally.

The Dean of Waterford, The Very Revd Maria Jansson, said: “Bells are part of many cultures and religions, ringing out the old and ringing in the new.  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 legitimising of hate that has emerged over the 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 to 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, the Diocese of Newark in the USA, Notre Dame University (USA), Cashel, and Lismore, Balagherdereen, and Mulhuddard. Support has come in from Finland to France. Sign in on: www.christchurchwaterford.com

An RTÉ radio interview with the Dean of Waterford, the Very Revd Maria Jansson, about Joy Bells was broadcast on Leap of Faith on Friday (10th February) and former President McAleese spoke on RTÉ Radio 1’s Marian Finucane programme on Saturday (11th February) at 12 noon.

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