Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Following careful discussion with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet who are representing those government agencies working with the Christchurch Muslim community, we invite all Churches who are able to do so, to ring the bell of their Church 50 times, once for each of those killed in Christchurch last Friday.

It is imperative that this tolling of the bells throughout our communities happens at precisely 3.00 pm tomorrow Friday 22 March.

This has been timed to occur between the broadcast Call to Prayer starting at 1.30 pm and funerals of victims which are to take place at 4.00 pm tomorrow.

This is to be a tangible expression of aroha and solidarity from communities across Aotearoa / New Zealand. The bells of our Churches are another way that the voices of all our communities across this country can be heard.

Cardinal John Dew – Roman Catholic Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Archbishop Philip Richardson - Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Archbishop Don Tamihere – Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand