National Cathedral Dean Wants To Remove Confederate Windows
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The dean of Washington National Cathedral is calling for the removal of stained glass windows that depict the Confederate battle flag in the historic church.
Cathedral Dean Gary Hall issued a statement Thursday saying windows honoring Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Gen. Robert E. Lee should be removed. Both windows depict the Confederate flag.
The cathedral installed the windows in 1953. Hall says the cathedral's leadership at the time thought recognition for the Confederate leaders would foster reconciliation.
But Hall says celebrating the lives of the Confederate generals and flag now does not promote healing or reconciliation, especially for African Americans. Hall says the Confederate flag has become the primary symbol of white supremacy.
Hall says the cathedral should consider new windows representing the nation's history of race and slavery.
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