11/12/2015
The following comes to us from Betsy Hardy, coordinator, VT Interfaith Power and Light. Bishop Ely invites Vermont parishes to take part in this bell ringing on November 29.
The Conference of Parties (COP) 21 will begin in Paris at the end of this month – a time when representatives of most nations of the world will come together to negotiate a climate change agreement. We hope a strong and binding treaty will be the result of these meetings. For the sake of God’s creation, a strong treaty is needed! Pope Francis has done much, with his encyclical Laudato Si’, in speeches he gave during his visit here in September, and in other ways, to encourage a strong, binding treaty. Other faith leaders have also spoken out in support.
Many people of faith want to show solidarity with Pope Francis and the other leaders who have been advocating for a strong treaty. Various actions are being organized in Vermont, across the country, and throughout the world. Many faith communities will ring bells and play carillons on Nov. 29, the day before the meetings begin, to send messages of hope to world leaders at COP 21. They recommend ringing the bells for 5 to 10 minutes sometime during the hour 11 am – noon on that Sunday, though of course other times are possible.
For more information, contact Betsy Hardy at (802) 434-3397.