Parishioner complaints led to unique 'bilingual' bells

Originally cast in France, tuneless peal was sent to England in 1906 for recasting and tuning

In 1914, Vancouver Archbishop Timothy Casey unveiled this board that marked "the first peal ever rung in the Dominion of Canada." Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.

In 1900, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in B.C. lent the money for a chime of seven bells, also known as a peal or a ring of bells, to Holy Rosary Cathedral. The bells were bought from Paccard et Freres, a bell foundry in Annecy-Le-Vieux, Savoie, France. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Number of church-goers in Germany waning

Auxiliary Bishop Matthias Heinrich of Berlin makes remarks during a Jan. 13 vigil in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The vigil was organized by Muslim groups for the victims of the Jan. 7 shootings at the offices of newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Bishops are also speaking out against individuals trying to opt out of paying the church tax. CNS photo / Fabrizio Bensch, Reuters.

While numbers of church attendees dwindle in Germany, questions have arisen once again over the controversial state-imposed church tax, and whether it's time for the country's bishops to address concerns around it. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Catholic mom walks to Ottawa to raise autism awareness

Dee Gordon, a Catholic mother of three, walked to Ottawa from her home in Etobicoke North outside Toronto in the dead of winter to raise awareness of the autism crisis. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.