Zabbar church bells

I had considered myself fortunate to find a small property in old Zabbar village core, very close to the church. Unfortunately, what is spoiling the otherwise quiet and peaceful atmosphere are the church bells which ring every 15 minutes all day and night. On top of this timed ringing there is then their long, loud and seemingly pointless pealing at odd times during the day that sometimes goes on for 30 minutes or more, virtually non-stop.

As I write, they have been ringing for the last 50 minutes, the first 10 of which were interspersed with what sounded like cannon shots. (Is this not grossly overdone?) Their sound is just a clanging without melody, except for the poor rendition of the Ave Maria, which is only slightly better but which gets so boring after being forced to listen to it so often every day.

Could the Zabbar church authorities please explain why they have to overindulge themselves in this infernal din? This is noise pollution and nothing more! What is it for? I have heard low grumblings from other people in the area about the noise, followed by their shrugs of resignation: People, who probably are too timid to complain loudly or publicly for fear of offending the Church hierarchies, or for fear of their disapproval being construed as disrespect for the church. On the other hand, has anyone at the church ever considered that they could be lacking in respect towards the local residents by inflicting on us this deafening cacophony at all hours?

It would be appreciated if someone from the church could please reply to explain why we have to endure this senseless noise. I believe we deserve to know the reasons why the bells have to be rung so much and so often. People nowadays have wristwatches, mobile phones, clocks in their homes, etc and they can read the time for themselves too.

It is obvious that the bells operate on an electrical timer. (A human bell-ringer would be dead before the end of his shift!) Is it not rather an unnecessary waste that so much valuable energy is being used up for nothing at a time when the Ecclesiastical authorities themselves are attempting to become more environmentally aware and trying to set an example to others? A waste of money too!

I would suggest that if the bells have to be rung at all, it should certainly be on the patron saint's feast day every year and maybe only once everyday at midday, but certainly not during the night, nor so loudly at 5 and 6 a.m. God and all His creation are best contemplated in silence by all!