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FOR WHOM DO THE BELLS TOLLMany people are familiar with the phrase "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and the answer, "It tolls for thee." In the case of this campaign, the bells do toll for thee and for every person who is executed in this country.For Whom the Bells Toll is a national initiative to have religious organizations throughout the country toll their bells whenever there is an execution. The tolling bells will be a reminder to all who hear them that all of us are diminished by continuing acts of state-sponsored murder. The churches, monasteries, abbeys, temples and synagogues that join in this effort, will go a long way toward stopping the death penalty in this country. The campaign will continue until there is a moratorium on the death penalty or until the death penalty is abolished in this country.
HISTORY OF TOLLING THE BELLSThroughout history, bells have been used to warn people of dangers such as marauders or approaching storms. They have been used to celebrate happy occasions such as weddings and to mark sorrowful occasions such as deaths.Bells have been tolled to gather village residents for meetings. In 1945, many church bells tolled to announce the end of World War II WHY TOLL THE BELLS FOR EXECUTIONS?We first heard of the practice when Jaime Cardinal Sin of the Philippines asked that Catholic churches in that country toll the bells to mourn the execution of a citizen of that country. . Bishop Walter Sullivan of Richmond, Virginia learned of the practice in the - Philippines, and wrote to all churches in his diocese, "I ask all diocesan churches and chapels with bell towers to toll their bells at 9:00 p.m. on November 9, 1999, and on the evening of every execution until we bring an end to this inhumane practice."
YOUR ROLE IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLSWhere there is a bell tower... On the date of an execution, toll the bells at 6:00 p.m. for 2 minutes.Where there is no bell tower Hang a black drape outside the doors of the building on the day of the execution. Tie black ribbons on poles outside the building. Whether there is a bell tower or not Include information in your bulletin. Encourage others to join the campaign Conduct a prayer vigil or period of silence for the person being executed the victim(s), and the families of both.
EXPLAIN YOUR ACTIVITIES TO LOCAL MEDIA!Execution dates are listed on the following websites:
www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/pendex.html www.smu.edu/~denthpen/pending.html ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZERSFor Whom the Bells Toll has been organized by Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) a criminal justice reform organization.Sponsors include: Dominicans of St. Catharine Kentucky - American Friends Service Committee's Ann Arbor Criminal Justice Program Please drop us a line to tell us how your religious community is participating. We would also appreciate a copy of any media coverage of your efforts. Financial contributions to our effort will be gratefully accepted. Address any correspondence to:
"Until I can be sure that everyone sentenced to death in Illinois is truly guilty, until I can be sure with moral certainly that no innocent man or woman is facing a lethal injection, no one will meet that fate." - Gov. George Ryan January 31, 2000 by John Donne No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manner of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee. |
For further information contact:
peaceCENTER
P.O. Box 36, San Antonio, Texas 78291
(210) 224-HOPE or 224-4673 FAX (210) 222-1097