Venetians tell the Church to cool it with the bells

Hearing-sensitive inhabitants of Venice, Italy have won their campaign to have the Catholic Church tone it down the constant bell-ringing already. Churches and chapels overlook the home of many Venetians and their wish to have some peace and quiet -- instead of frequent, loud peals ringing in their ears -- led to several years of debate in the picturesque city. The new decree allows the city's churches to ring their bells in "moderation" and regulates the hours, length and intensity of the celestial noise. The Campanile bell tower over St Mark's Square, a tourist favorite, is exempt from the new rules, which also allow the Church to still go nuts with their bells at Christmas and Easter.