Madam, – In response to my earlier letter (December 12th) Stephen Winder (December 15th) states that the Angelus is not “an exclusively Roman Catholic practice”. It is. He cites Finland. Radio Ylen Ykkönen (a radio channel of the Finnish Broadcasting Company) informed me that it “plays daily from Monday to Saturday at 12-12.05 Turku Cathedral’s bells”.
These “Cathedral bells heard on the radio don’t call people to prayer”. They remind the Finnish people of the Soviet invasion in 1944.
Catherine Loughran (December 19th) compares the triplet of Angelus bells to great choral works, like the Messiah. Oh, that the Angelus were as musically uplifting and inclusive! Why not instead relay the Angelus on Sundays and feast days, as Vatican TV does, and have a moment of contemplation for all with peaceful music on other days. That would be a lot more in keeping with our new multicultural Ireland.
– Yyours, etc,
Madam, – I can’t believe it’s almost 2010 and the sounding of the Angelus bell can upset people so much. As a member of the Church of Ireland I find it very positive to be reminded, for a minute or two each day, to say a prayer, even if not the traditional Angelus. It can always be turned down or switched off!
– Yours, etc,