IBAJAY, Aklan – The stolen bell of the barangay chapel of Tagbaya here has been found in a welding shop.
Thieves broke into the chapel on June 14 and shanghaied the almost century-old bell believed to be of great value.
Distraught parishioners immediately appealed for the bell’s return. They shared pictures of it on Facebook.
On June 15, the bell was found in a welding shop.
People running the welding shop claimed an unidentified man left the bell there earlier in the day.
The bell was handed over to a barangay official, who in turn brought it back to the Tagbaya chapel dedicated to Nuestra Senora de la Immaculada Concepcion.
For nearly a century, the bell tolled for barangay parishioners.
Church bells in the Christian tradition are rung for a variety of ceremonial purposes. They are used to call worshippers to the church for communal service, and to announce the fixed times of daily prayer.
They are also rung on special occasions such as weddings or funeral services.
In some religious traditions they are used within the liturgy of the church service to signify to people that a particular part of the service has been reached.
Curiously, also on June 14, the chapel bell of Barangay Aquino was also stolen. But unlike the Tagbaya chapel bell, it has yet to be found as this was being written.
The Ibajay police has started an investigation. It already alerted welding shops and metal junk shops in the town./PN
