Ecumenical News International
News Highlights
16 August 2010Church bells to ring out in September for species protection
London (ENI). Support for United Nations talks on biodiversity will be marked in Britain by the biggest nationwide peal of bells since celebrations to mark the eve of the third millennium, organizers say. “Ringing the church bells is a great way for the wider community to be reminded and to celebrate the beauty of creation,” said Jill Hopkinson, the (Anglican) Church of England’s national rural officer, in a 10 August statement. The denomination is urging cathedrals and several thousand parish churches to ring their bells to mark the talks at the U.N. general assembly on 22 September in New York that will address the international failure to meet targets on species conservation. [402 words, ENI-10-0567]
No word from Ms. Hopkinson how those hearing the church bells will identify the distinct sound with attending to the habitat of furry woodland creatures. There was a time when Brits associated the ringing of church bells with the hours of prayer and attending Mass.
No more.
