Published
Since the beginning of December, the nightly bells have not been heard in Rorschach. A newly submitted petition defends itself against the silence of the bells.
Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., the bells of the Columban Church ring …
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… and the Herz-Jesu-Kirche not. A petition had called for the bells to be turned off at night.
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From December 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022, Rorschach is in a trial phase.
During the night the bells of the Columbanskirche and the Herz-Jesu-Kirche do not sound.
Proponents of the chime have now launched a petition.
The church board of directors is now reassessing the situation.
The city of Rorschach SG has been in a six-month trial phase since the beginning of December. Due to a submitted petition, the bells of the Columban Church and the Sacred Heart Church are silent between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Now the proponents of the bells have also launched a petition.
For many residents, it is unimaginable that the church bells only remain silent at night. “Many associate the ringing of bells with their home country,” says Barbara Camenzind, singer and teacher who lives in Rorschach, opposite 20 Minuten. The chimes at night are intended to give the residents security.
A compromise should be found
The Rorschacherin doesn’t want to deprive people of their sleep with her petition. “I want the situation to be discussed and a good federal compromise to be found,” she says. For them it is important that those who like the bell and for whom it is part of the cityscape are also noticed.
The petition ended this Monday at twelve o’clock. A total of 219 signatures were collected. Barbara Camenzind will send this result to the parish of the Rorschach region. “I was just collecting the signature,” she says. What happens now is no longer in their power.
In November of this year it was announced that the bells would be switched off overnight. At that time, 20 minutes asked Rorschacher what they thought of the decision.
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A solution is being sought
The situation is now being assessed in the church administrative council. The first step is to see how many signatures have been submitted. “Then contact is made with the other side and a solution is sought together with the pastoral team and the church administrative council,” said Pius Riedener, President of the church administrative council of the Rorschach region, on request. A vote may also be possible under certain circumstances.
The trial phase was started so that an overall picture of the reactions could be seen after the end. “So far we have received mostly negative feedback,” says Riedener. It has been criticized for giving in so quickly. “Many have voiced their fears that the whole chime will soon be canceled during the day, too,” he says. With the submission of the counter-petition, the story of the striking of the bell is now one chapter richer.
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