“Surprisingly, to many, there are no regulations of any kind governing the display of flags in Roman Catholic churches,” notes the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on its website, USCCB.org. “Neither the Code of Canon Law nor the liturgical books of the Roman rite comment on this practice. As a result, the question of whether and how to display the American flag in a Catholic church is left up to the judgment of the diocesan bishop, who, in turn, often delegates this to the discretion of the pastor.
“The origin of the display of the American flag in many parishes in the United States appears to have its origins in the offering of prayers for those who served during the Second World War (1941-1945). At that time, many bishops and pastors provided a book of remembrance near the American flag, requesting prayers for loved ones — especially those serving their country in the armed forces — as a way of keeping before the attention of the faithful the needs of military families. This practice has since been confirmed in many places during the Korean, Vietnam and Iraqi conflicts.
“The Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy has in the past encouraged pastors not to place the flag within the sanctuary itself, in order to reserve that space for the altar, the ambo, the presidential chair and the tabernacle. Instead, the suggestion has been made that the American flag be placed outside the sanctuary or in the vestibule of the Church, together with a book of prayer requests. It remains, however, for the diocesan bishop to determine regulations in this matter.”
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First lets recognize that most times the flag you see is not what it seems, but in opposition to what the glorious RED, WHITE AND BLUE stands for. The gold fringes on the flag means that it is the Admiralty flag. Anyone saying otherwise is trying to miss lead you. The admiralty flag represent maritime law (international law) so do your homework, you will find that it represents the absence of the constitution and our rights ie. the the right to freedom of religion. It is, with much certainty, that no flag representing a national sovereignty has a place on the alter though without the church forbidding it in the actual edifice a flag will likely remain. This gold fringe flag however, belongs only at sea or at the end of a burning stick NOT in our churches. Lift high the banner of love not one of slavery and tell your bishop you want it gone and tell him why! The Truth will set you both free! God Bless America!
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