Confederate Flag Controversy At Washington National Cathedral
WASHINGTON (WJZ)—The dialogue to take down the Confederate flag continues in Washington where one local church is trying to remove stained glass windows that honor confederate history.
Tracey Leong has more.
The Washington National Cathedral Dean says there is no room for hatred in this country, especially at one of the most visible churches in America.
The national house of prayer, where people come to worship, tour and admire-- adorning the cathedral and the more than 200 stained glass windows. Two of them displaying the Confederate flag.
"Has increasingly become a symbol of white supremacy and racism in America," said Dean Gary Hall, Washington National Cathedral.
In the wake of the nine black churchgoers who were slain in Charleston which police are calling a hate crime, Hall says now is the time to take down the windows displaying the symbol associated with racism.
Leong: "By removing the flags what message does this send to our nation?"
"This cathedral is the nation's cathedral. It's the place where we bury presidents and place where we celebrate presidential inaugurations," said Hall. "And I think for the nation's church to say we will no longer display a symbol of devisiveness in our nation is a strong symbol and will allow is to lead a conversation about race and racial justice and healing.
Churchgoers have mixed reactions.
Tim Lovelace says, "For me it's not a symbol of hatred, but if it's a symbol for someone else, we want unity, but how do we do that by wiping out history?"
"The flag should remain, because it happened it's a part of the history of the nation and in the church we celebrate both the death of Christ and his resurrection, and that flag pretty much is a period of death for this country," said Atron Rowe.
Rick Pogue, also visiting the church says, "History belongs in certain places and history books and museums and that's why I think they were created and why these windows should be retired."
The cathedral chapter will be meeting in the fall to further discuss removing these symbols,
In the meantime the cathedral plans to place a display near the windows with an explanation of them historical context.
