Norwegian church bells will ring in solidarity with Syria and Iraq

Church bellChurch bell.Photo: pixabay.com

The Bishops’ Conference and the Church Council has sent a request to all of Norway’s churches to ring their church bells this coming Sunday at 1pm “in solidarity with Syria and Iraq’s suffering people.”

– As part of the worldwide church we encourage prayer and bell ringing in solidarity with Syria and Iraq’s suffering people, says president Helga Haugland Byfuglien.

The invitation has been inspired by the action #BellsForAleppo, where churches have been ringing their bells for the victims there.

It began last week in a church in Finland, and now has over 450 churches worldwide participating, according to WCC.

In a press release the Church Council also reminded people that this Sunday will be NRK’s telethon, where proceeds will go to the Red Cross to help support their efforts to provide food, water and medicine to millions of people in need in Syria.

– Ringing all the country’s church bells will also help to emphasize the importance of the telethon and commitment to the creator, says the director of the Church Council, Jens-Petter Johnsen.

It is very rare for Norwegian churches to use church bells outside of worship and church events, but the Bishops’ Conference and the Church Council may solicit this in special situations.

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today