PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Both Governor Chafee and the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island have asked for a tolling of the bells at 9:30 a.m. Friday for those who lost their lives in the shootings in Newtown, Conn.
But there was a slight difference between the two appeals. While Chafee, who is also asking for a moment of silence at the same time, urged that bells be tolled 26 times in honor of the victims of the shootings at Sandy Hook school, the Episcopal Diocese urged its churches in a separate letter to consider tolling their bells 28 times.
"The decision is up to you, but we do recommend you ring them 28 times, which would include the killer and his mother in the count," says a release from diocesan communications director Ruth Meteer.
"We think praying for all souls best reflect Christ's message of forgiveness and love for all, and that we should especially pray for those souls who may need our prayers the most."
This item revises a version that was originally published at 4:24 p.m.