National Cathedral To Remove Confederate Flag From Stained Glass Windows

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington National Cathedral says it will remove images of a Confederate battle flag from its stained glass windows because it considers them a symbol of hatred and racial supremacy.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is the Episcopal bishop of Washington and interim dean at the cathedral. She said in a prepared statement Wednesday that a task force examined the origins of the windows and the impact of symbols. The windows were installed in 1953.

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After receiving the task force's report, cathedral officials decided the flags will be replaced by plain glass on two 8-foot-by-4-foot windows. The cathedral is working to determine the cost and establish a timeline.

The windows honor Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee.