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National Cathedral Bans Confederate Flag Images

CBN

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The Washington National Cathedral will remove all images of the Confederate flag on its stained-glass windows.

The decision comes after the devastating massacre of nine parishioners of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. The shooter, Dylann Roof was known for embracing the flag. The racially charged murders sparked a national discussion over racial tensions and where the Church fits into the conversation. 

"It is time to take those windows out," said former cathedral Dean Gary Hall in a statement, shortly after the massacre.
 
Cathedral's board members decided to replace the images with plain glass this week. However, they still kept the adjoining panes that recognize Confederate army generals. 

"The Cathedral installed these windows, in part, because its leadership at the time hoped they would foster reconciliation between parts of the nation that had been divided by Civil War," he added. 

"Here, in 2015, we know that celebrating the lives of these two men, and the flag under which they fought, promotes neither healing nor reconciliation, especially for our African-American sisters and brothers," Hall concluded. 

Some support the move while others are criticizing the church's actions.

"We have heard from those who feel strongly that the windows should stay intact as uncomfortable reminders of our shared history, others who believe that the windows should be removed entirely, and some who feel that the windows are appropriate monuments to admirable American leaders," the church board members said in a letter announcing the decision. 

The process of removing the images may be costly, but the church says private donors will pay for the removal. 
 

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