The Church had got its voice back
When they completed the repair work at Paris’ s Notre Dame Cathedral the bells were heard again for the first time since the disastrous fire five years ago. Even though I am not a fan of the way bells are rung in Europe except in a few notable exceptions, it was a glorious sound to hear those bells again and I can understand the excitement many in the surrounds of the Cathedral must have experienced. The Church had got its voice back.
The bell founder who looks after the bells was interviewed in a radio report of the reopening. He reminded me that in the Catholic tradition bells have names and so speak to us. He spoke about bells not just as a call to worship but as voices, not instruments, that speak of eternal values. They remind us the values of peace and harmony and for the people of faith, the enduring power of God. In these days of war and rumours of war, of famine and people fleeing their homes, the world needs voices that speak of higher ideals.
For some years now I have been reflecting on why we ring bells and how it fits into a wider theological scheme of things. Our ringing is about producing a sense of harmony brought about by ringers working together. We have to establish an understanding of one another. This is the very opposite of the things that bring about hatred and division. I am not suggesting for a moment that the European style of ringing bells is like this and without merit but our way of ringing bells by our own hands – and not by machinery as at Notre Dame – creates a harmony both of sound and of human endeavour. All bells when rung speak to us of beauty and harmony and remind the world, I hope, of a better way to be.
Anthony Ellis
A retired incumbent, but still a Priest!