A pastoral worker in Northern Ireland has called on all the churches of Ireland to ring their bells as a show of solidarity and hope during the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.
Brian McKee, a Belfast native, wants all churches across the country to unite by ringing their chapel bells together for one minute at noon this Friday, March 27.
“The response we have received from both interfaces has been incredible,” he said. “We got over 15,000 hits then thought why stop at interface? Let’s do this nationwide across the country.
Idea
“The idea of bells ringing came about from a phone call from a member of the Protestant Loyalist Community, who were moved by the church bells of Holy Cross ringing on Christmas Day and asked why not do this now?”
From this phone call, the idea of all churches in Ireland ringing their bells at the same time came about.
The purpose of the act is to show a sign of solidarity and give hope at a time when people are isolated and need their spirits lifted.
“People have been saying it’s a brilliant idea,” says McKee of the responses to his church bell ringing suggestion. “It’s a sign of hope in our community.
“People are searching for something that will bring them together and this is an opportunity to do that.”
Differences
Over the past fortnight, members of both interface communities in Belfast have been setting aside their differences to reach out to those in need during the outbreak.
“We open our doors to anyone, it doesn’t matter creed, colour or religion. At times of need, we have to look after people,” said Joseph McCall of St James Swift GAA club.
Councillor John Kyle of the Progressive Unionist Party said local churches were coming together and “joining with other churches” to support the community.