Regensburg (dpa / lby) - If you live near a church, you have to accept that the bells ring there several times a day. A resident from Siegenburg in the Kelheim district saw things differently and went to the administrative court in Regensburg. But the judges dismissed his lawsuit by decision on Thursday.
The resident moved to the town of 4,100 in 2019, and the following year he filed the lawsuit: he felt disturbed by the ringing of the Catholic parish church of St. Nicholas for prayer and worship, which lasts an average of 14 minutes a day. After a good two years of smoldering litigation, the administrative court ruled in favor of the church. Accordingly, the ringing is a "reasonable, socially adequate effect," said court spokesman Markus Eichenseher to the German Press Agency.
In its decision, the court balanced between the plaintiff's need for rest and freedom of religion, which also includes the liturgical bell. In addition, the neighbor does not live in a purely residential area and therefore has to accept higher noise levels. In addition, the bells of the parish church did not ring during the statutory period of silence between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The court also took into account that the church has been in Siegenburg for almost 130 years and has shaped the townscape so clearly. The decision of the administrative court is not yet final.
