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Carmelite Parishes, Monasteries, and Ministries Worldwide Encouraged to Join Global Bell-Ringing for the Environment

As part of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Carmelite parishes, monasteries, and other ministries worldwide are being asked to show their support by participating in a global bell-ringing action that will take place at 3 PM local time on Sunday, December 13, 2009.

The Carmelite NGO will be participating in the conference, popularly known as COP15, which is being held December 7-18, 2009. But to demonstrate the involvement of the worldwide Carmelite Family in these critical environmental issues, the Carmelite NGO is inviting all churches, monasteries, schools, and ministry sites to consider participating by ringing bells in union with other religious institutions in the same time zone.

Church bells are a traditional way of calling people’s attention to important events taking place. Because of the impact this conference will have upon people around the globe for many years to come, it is hoped that Carmelites in every part of the world will take the opportunity to participate.

The bell-ringing is part of an international ecumenical service in Copenhagen’s Lutheran Cathedral, the Church or Our Lady on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 2 PM. To show hope and resolve on behalf of believers in protecting God’s creation, church bells will ring out across the globe through all time zones, starting in Fiji in the South Pacific, where the day begins, and continuing around the world.

Besides the Carmelite NGO, a number of Church organizations will be participating. The homily will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, who is well-known for his deep commitment to the issue of climate change. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, as well as other church leaders, politicians, and representatives of NGO’s will be participating.

Besides participating in the ecumenical prayer service and bell-ringing, the Carmelite NGO will be working with the Holy See Mission at the United Nations in an event during the Copenhagen Conference.

For more information, contact the Carmelite NGO
or visit our website: carmelitengo.org