A German village has decided to keep a contentious Nazi-era church
bell that bears a swastika and the words “All for the Fatherland — Adolf
Hitler”, arguing it serves as a reminder of the country’s dark past.
The parish council of Herxheim am Berg voted 10-3 on Monday Feb 26 ,2018 that the bronze bell from 1934 should remain as “an impetus for reconciliation and a memorial against violence and injustice”.
The council rejected an offer by the regional Protestant Church to pay for taking down the 240kg bell and replacing it. A memorial pointing to the bell’s history will now be fixed on the heritage-listed church, the Jakobskirche.
The village of just 700 people has repeatedly caught national attention for the controversial “Hitler bell” since a former church organist complained about the inscription. Some churchgoers were dismayed to find out that they had got married, baptised their children or joined other religious ceremonies and events under the Hitler bell.
The parish council of Herxheim am Berg voted 10-3 on Monday Feb 26 ,2018 that the bronze bell from 1934 should remain as “an impetus for reconciliation and a memorial against violence and injustice”.
The council rejected an offer by the regional Protestant Church to pay for taking down the 240kg bell and replacing it. A memorial pointing to the bell’s history will now be fixed on the heritage-listed church, the Jakobskirche.
The village of just 700 people has repeatedly caught national attention for the controversial “Hitler bell” since a former church organist complained about the inscription. Some churchgoers were dismayed to find out that they had got married, baptised their children or joined other religious ceremonies and events under the Hitler bell.
No comments:
Post a Comment