Dr. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland
Dr. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland, preached in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford and relaunch the ‘Joy Bells’ of Waterford on Sunday 19th March, to send a message of joy, welcome and tolerance. Hundred of church across 6 continents joined in this first of its kind bell-ringing initiative in solidarity with refugees and migrants.
Dean Maria Jansson
“This is no time for silence. There is a tide of malice and misery to be turned. If we are not to be consumed by it then we must confront it, name it, shame it,and proclaim the transcendent, the enduring power of the commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves,” she said.
This movement was started by Dean of Waterford cathedral and Waterford Place of Sanctuary founder member Maria Jansson. “It is to protest against racism and xenophobia in all its forms,” she said. “It seeks to add a different voice to the public realm, one where communities are committed to respect, the dignity of all persons under God and to welcome.”
Participating countries include Ireland, America, Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, Ukraine, Sudan, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Pakistan, Congo, Uganda, Bangladesh, Cameroun, Iraq, Syria and Somalia.
This international event was covered substantially in Ireland and around the world. You can see a short clip here : https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/0319/860849-bells/
https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/irish-joy-bells-initiative-welcome-immigrants
https://ndsmcobserver.com/2017/03/university-participate-bells-joy-celebration/
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/9648/border-lands-
https://nj1015.com/north-jersey-churches-to-ring-bells-for-immigrants-and-refugees/