Bells of Clifton Cathedral to ring in support of persecuted Christians in Middle East

On Sunday, 16 August, the Feast of the Assumption in England and Wales, the bells of Clifton Cathedral will toll at 12.30 in support of persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

The Archbishop of Avignon, the Most Reverend Dominique Rey, has asked for bells of solidarity to be rung around the world on this special Feast Day dedicated to Our Lady as a "gesture of prayer, solidarity, peace and faith".

As the lead Bishop for International Affairs at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, Bishop Declan Lang has responded to Archbishop Dominique Rey's call. The bells of Bishop Lang's Cathedral will ring at 12.30 on Sunday as a mark of prayer, solidarity and support for persecuted Christians and all religious minorities across the Middle East.

Bishop Lang said he would be remembering all minority communities who are experiencing persecution. He invites people to pray for peace in the Middle East Region, and to remember all those who are refugees from their homeland.