Former president Mary McAleese is
to launch a ‘Joy of Bells’ initiative at Waterford’s Church of Ireland
Christ Church Cathedral on March 19th in protest at anti-immigrant
sentiment sweeping the western world.
Responding to an idea by Dean of
Waterford Maria Jansson, Ms McAleese will speak at the 10am Eucharist
service there and launch a ringing of the Cathedral bells at 11am in
opposition to what Dean Jansson has described as “the incredible fear
out there” being generated towards immigrants and refugees.
Ms McAleese said: “The Dean of
Waterford cathedral has taken a timely, simple but profound initiative
which I hope will be copied by many churches throughout Europe and other
parts of the world.”
She continued: “The event at
Waterford’s Christ Church Cathedral will take place over St Patrick’s
weekend. That is not a coincidence. The name of St Patrick is known
throughout the world and is synonymous with Ireland but what is not
always so well known about him is that he was an immigrant to Ireland
and by any standards, despite considerable personal suffering, one of
the most successful in history.
“The bells will be ringing a message of
love, hope and inclusion that we hope will bring comfort to the men,
women and children whose lives are blighted by the hatred and bigotry of
those who would deny them their dignity and rights as human beings. The
bells will ring out as a challenge to all Christians to honour the
great commandment to love one another.”
‘Cacophony of hatred’
Dean Jansson said that “as a woman
and a Christian I feel we have to make an appropriate response to the
cacophony of hatred which gets more frightening every day across
Europe.”
In the weeks between now and March
19th the dean will be encouraging other churches and places of worship
across Ireland and Europe to join with Waterford in ringing their bells
in joint protest.
She recalled how “a couple of
years ago a well organised fascist demonstration was set up in the area
surrounding Vasteras cathedral in Sweden. As the rally began, with
swastikas and hate-filled speeches, the doors of the cathedral closed
and the cathedral bells tolled loud and clear over the city, drowning
out the sounds of hate and racism.”
“Bells sound alarm but also a
gathering of people for good. Ring out misogyny, hate, xenophobia and
fear. Ring in solidarity, truth and justice. Drown the sounds of hate
with the call for justice. Make a loud noise that those who are made
invisible by hate will hear our solidarity. This invitation is extended
to all to raise a different voice in our world,” Dean Jansson said.
“At a time when there is worldwide
fear and disquiet, we will use this opportunity to peal a very
different message, inviting communities at home and abroad to ring their
bells on that day in protest and in hope.”