Our Lady of Fatima Church (wikimedia commons)
April 2, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Queens and Brooklyn churches will ring “Bells of Hope” beginning tomorrow and continuing every day as the city grapples with the coronavirus pandemic that is killing New Yorkers.
Every parish in the two boroughs with outdoor bells will ring them each day at 3 p.m. at the request of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn.
The initiative, known as “Bells of Hope,” will continue for the full duration of the pandemic.
“The ringing of the church bells will inspire us as New Yorkers and citizens of the world, of all faiths, the strongest of believers and the non-believers, to unite in prayer against this virus,” DiMarzio said.
“As our City, and especially our boroughs, remain the epicenter of this Coronavirus pandemic, each day we will ask Almighty God to bring an end to this illness which has caused great pain and suffering for many people of the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens.”
The 3 p.m. time coincides with the hour of the death of Jesus Christ, as the Easter Season is approaching.
“We may or may not know for whom these bells will toll, however, we will pause to honor those who are suffering, who have died, and give thanks to God for those putting their lives at risk for others,” DiMarzio said.
