Priest sentenced for noise pollution
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
11.06.2012 11:49
A Polish priest has been sentenced to thirty hours community service, after a court found him guilty of causing noise pollution with an electronic bell system.
Father Andrzej Wrobel installed his high tech bell system in 2009 in the village of Lewin, central Poland, having raised money for the novelty through donations by parishioners.
A number of local residents soon complained that the system was disturbing their sleep.
Besides the chimes, each new day was heralded by the sound of gongs at 5 am, while recordings of hymns played at intervals, day and night, including one at 9.37 pm to commemorate the passing of Polish pontiff John Paul II.
Father Wrobel declined to modify the system following complaints, and in May this year he added another nocturnal hymn at 1.30 am.
Judge Bartlomiej Bieganski noted that the priest “knew that his behaviour was disturbing certain residents, but he carried on nonetheless.”
Father Wrobel's lawyer has confirmed that an appeal will be filed against the verdict. (nh)