Phoenix bishop sentenced for church bell noise

[June 05, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- A Phoenix church leader has received a suspended 10-day jail sentence because his tolling church bells violated a city noise ordinance.

Bishop Richard Painter says he'll appeal.

The bells at the Cathedral of Christ the King in northwest Phoenix normally chime at the top of every hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Neighbors say the bells are too loud and ring too often.

In addition to Painter's sentence, the judge on Wednesday restricted chimes at the church to no more than 60 decibels for two minutes on Sundays and specific religious holidays.

___

Information from: KNXV-TV, http://www.knxv.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.