Community Corner
Diocese Asks Bells Be Rung to Include Mother and Shooter, What's Your Take?
Governor Chafee asked bells be rung 26 times this morning in honor of the victims of Sandy Hook, the Diocese asks they ring 28 times, to include the mother and the shooter in our prayers
To honor the memory of the 26 victims who lost their lives in the Newtown, CT shootings, , ring bells 26 times during that moment in honor the victims.
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island recommends churches ring the bells 28 times, which would include a ring for both the shooter and his mother.
"We think praying for all souls best reflects Christ’s message of forgiveness and love for all, and that we should especially pray for those souls who may need our prayers the most," said Ruth Meteer, Communications Director for the Diocese.
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Patch reader Lisa De Chambeau said a ring should be included for his mother.
"Absolutely", she was a victim as well, said Chambeau on the Middletown Patch Facebook page. "We need to remember that when it comes to mental illness and sociopathic behaviors, it's not something the parents could have fixed or prevented if only they had been better parents."
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John D Rivera agreed with the Diocese.
"All life is valuable even if it was a misguided one. If they ring it any less than 28, then it shows that the church is no longer on the side of Christ." Rivera said on the Woonsocket Patch Facebook page.
"All 28 because everyone is a victim, 27 of the shooter and 1 from mental illness," agreed Woonsocket reader Doreen Goyette.
Adele Lussier of Woonsocket also throught the mother and shooter should be included. "That Mom suffered her entire life trying to raise her very troubled child. Do NOT blame that Mother," she wrote.
Angela C Rondeau of Woonsocket agreed with Chafee.
"Its already 26 more than it SHOULD of been... Doesn't need 2 more to remind us all of this horrific tragedy," she commented on Woonsocket Patch's Facebook page.
Rich McDermott of Middletown disagreed.
"No, the bells shouldn't ring for the mother," he wrote on Facebook. "It's because of her lack of attention to her son's mental illness, as well as owning these guns, that she's dead."
What do you think? Should bells ring 26, 27 or 28 times?
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