Are American Flags Allowed in Catholic Churches?
In accordance with the guidelines issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, it is the decision of Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett that in the Archdiocese of Seattle, the American Flag may be displayed in an appropriate place in the church building outside the sanctuary area at the discretion of the pastor. Pastors are to be guided in their decision by the following norms published by the United States Conference Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy on September 25, 2001: The Display of Flags in Roman Catholic Churches in the United States of America Surprisingly to many, there are no regulations of any kind governing the display of flags in Roman Catholic Churches. 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 th
