A vintage shot of the rainbow flag that hangs in a Catholic church in Chicago that it’s current priest wanted to burn. | Photo: Resurrection Church
The Catholic Archdiocese in Chicago has barred one of its priests from burning the Pride flag.
Father Paul Kalchik wanted to burn the LGBTI rainbow flag in front of the Resurrection Catholic Church on 29 September. Earlier this moth Kalchik announced his plans to burn the flag along with pledge cards from parishioners.
Kalchik made the announcement in a Homily. He wrote the flag burning was part of his wider mission to restore the Orthodox Roman Catholic Church.
‘On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Feast of Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we will burn, in front of church, the rainbow flag that was unfortunately hanging in our sanctuary during the ceremonial first Mass as Resurrection parish,’ Kalchik wrote in a postscript on the Homily.
‘We cannot let the current troubles keep us from our mission to go make more disciples for the Lord, nor should modern day distractions like global warming, LGBT “rights” or even immigration issues ever take precedence over that mission,’
But when the Chicago Archdiocese caught wind of his plans, it quickly shut them down.
‘We can confirm that the pastor has agreed not to move forward with these activities,’ Archdiocese of Chicago communications and marketing director, ‘Anne Mascelli, told Windy City Times.
Grateful to the Catholic Archdiocese
Local LGBTI groups thanked the Chicago Archdiocese for its swift action.
‘We are grateful that the Chicago Archdiocese quickly and firmly rejects the words of this pastor and his intended ‘ritual’ which are inconsistent with Catholic values and beliefs,’ DignityUSA President and Dignity/Chicago member told WCT.
‘National polling over the past number of years consistently shows that a majority of Catholics support LBGTQ people and our issues.
‘While we continue to challenge the institutional Church to reject its harmful and incorrect teachings about homosexuality, we are glad to see this decisive action on behalf of all LGBTQ Catholics.’
