Mobile ringtones are a nuisance in church

RECENTLY I attended a Church of Ireland funeral. On the night of the removal, while the reverend was delivering prayer to a packed church, two mobile phones rang – one twice. The reverend stopped, was clearly annoyed, but gathered her thoughts and continued on.

At the funeral the following day, before she started the ceremony, she welcomed everybody and expressed delight that the church was full again.

Then she said, and I quote: “Now for a piece of housekeeping. Please turn off your mobile phones or put them on silent. Thank you.”