The Gozo College of Archpriests and Parish Priests under the guidance of the Bishop of Gozo issued guidelines on the conduct of the celebrations of town and village feasts in Gozo especially where outdoor ones are concerned with emphasis on band marches.

Among other things it was suggested that the Sunday morning march should end by 2 p.m. so as to give people a chance to rest before the evening procession and so as to be considerate with the sick and the elderly who are disturbed by noise. Very good and worthwhile sentiments indeed with which any sane person should totally agree.

What surprises me is how another means of noise pollution seemed to have totally escaped the said reverend gentlemen’s attention. I am referring to the incessant ringing of the church bells here in Gozo. Everyday these begin ringing at 4.30 a.m. and go on intermittently till late in the evening. On a couple of occasions one church rang its bells very late indeed. Don’t these reverend gentlemen think that this kind of din disturbs the sick and the elderly?

Many years ago the diocese of Malta issued instructions that church bells should not be rung before 8 a.m. and if I’m not mistaken not after 8 p.m. I thought that the Gozo bishopric would follow suit but I was greatly mistaken because years have passed and nothing of the sort has happened. I fervently hope that the Bishop of Gozo will look into the matter and rein in the enthusiasm of his reverend colleagues and remind them of these two axioms:

1. Physicians heal yourselves.

2. Practise what you preach.