The case began when a person, who lived near the Catholic Church, filed a lawsuit complaining about the ringing of the bells on Sunday mornings.
Newsdesk (11/11/2021 12:15 PM, Gaudium Press) After a period of silence, the bells of a church located in the German city of Usingen-Merzhausen will be able to ring again, inviting the faithful to Holy Mass and other liturgical celebrations.
The case began when a person living near the church filed a lawsuit complaining about the ringing of the bells on Sunday mornings. The claim was taken to court, which recently decided that the ringing of bells is not a nuisance.
Decision of the Frankfurt am Main Administrative Court
In its verdict, the Frankfurt Administrative Court of Main came to the conclusion that church bells should be accepted in a secularized society as a “reasonable and socially accepted institution that is subject to mutual tolerance.”
The judge in the case further stated that the ringing of bells has a sacred character and does not exceed noise limits. In addition, it was mentioned that the bells have been ringing since 1951, while the plaintiff moved to the vicinity of the church only in 2001.
Different bell tones
Not everyone knows, but there are bell-ringing patterns for different occasions, such as the blessing of a church, the arrival of an ecclesiastical dignitary, and at church festivals. On these occasions, the bells have a joyful and solemn tone, and the bells toll in a rapid manner, with short intervals between each set of bells.
On the other hand, when a believer dies, the bell tolling is slow and mournful with a long interval between each tolling. If there are two quick chimes followed by a long interval before the next round, this means that the deceased is a man. On the other hand, if there is only one stroke with a long interval before the next one, it means that the deceased is a woman. The number also varies for announcing the death of a Bishop or the Pope. (EPC)
Compiled by Camille Mittermeier
