Upon hearing of the scheduled flag-burning, the Archdiocese of Chicago ordered Kalchik to call it off. Kalchik, who publicly denounces homosexuality, told NBC News that he’d considered the flag, which bore the image of a cross intertwined with a rainbow, “profane” and a “sacrilege.” The flag-burning was initially set for September 29, but apparently, he couldn’t wait to torch it. As Kalchik put it, the flag was “unfortunately hanging in our sanctuary.” In a church bulletin posted earlier this month, the priest vowed to set fire to the flag, which had once been prominently displayed in the church. Last night, at least two dozen LGBTQ activists gathered in protest outside the church where it happened.Īgainst the orders of Cardinal Blase Cupich, Father Paul Kalchik of Resurrection Parish proceeded to burn the internationally recognized symbol of LGBTQ Pride.
Last week, a Roman Catholic priest in Chicago defied warnings from the city’s archdiocese and torched a rainbow Pride flag.
Rainbow Flag symbol of tolerance and acceptance Photo by iStock
