Ring the bells!

Photo: Marie-Claire Dugas

If you hear the church bells of the Rimouski and Gatineau, Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Montreal (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish), Sherbrooke (Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Michel) and Saint-Jean-Longueuil dioceses ring on March 19, it is in support of the Global Climate March[1]! We, committed women and sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, commend this initiative to “ring the bells” on the day of the March to actively encourage the participating groups, respond to the call of Laudato Si’ and honour our own commitment to protect the environment. We welcome all the support for this cause that affects each and every one of us.

The threat of global warming looms over the future of the young people who chant, “Let us shout louder, so that no one ignores us!” We unite our voices with theirs and call for the implementation of realistic goals to reduce global warming.

What better way to convey and amplify this message than with bells? For centuries, bell towers often warned people of imminent danger. They call for gatherings on Sundays and for liturgical celebrations. Although we live in a time of instant communication, we believe that the ringing of the bell towers is more important now than ever: the planet is in danger and we need to deal with it together. Do you hear the urgency? Changing our lifestyles is essential: respect for Creation must be at the heart of all we do.