Basilica bell-tongues chained to balustrades

Unknown persons yesterday chained the bell-tongues to the balustrades of the bellfry of St George's Basilica in Gozo in an apparent bid to stop the bells from ringing today on the feast of Santa Marija.

Last year the basilica bells were at the centre of a controversy when they were constantly being rung during the morning march by the Leone Band Club as the band marched past the basilica.

This year the Church authorities, in agreement with the police, issued instructions for the bell-ringers to limit the church bell ringing to just a few minutes at noon.

However, at round 5 p.m. yesterday, archpriest Mgr Paul Cremona filed a police report that the bells had been tied with thick chains, preventing the bells from ringing at all.

Superintendent Antonello Grech and Inspector Frank Tabone made an on-site inquiry and ordered the removal of the chains.