Catholic priest in Chicago proudly cuts up and burns LGBT flag
A Catholic priest in Chicago has reportedly burnt a rainbow flag. (FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty)
A Catholic priest has reportedly cut up and burned a LGBT+ flag—despite being ordered not to do so by his diocese—in a private ceremony in Chicago.
Father Paul Kalchik, a priest at Resurrection Parish, had previously announced his plans to destroy the rainbow banner in a homily message published on Christian website Church Militant.
The flag, which featured a cross merged with a rainbow, was hung up in the sanctuary of the church during a number of services, including the first mass at the parish in 1991.
“We cannot let the current troubles keep us from our mission to go make more disciples for the Lord, nor should modern day distractions like global warming, LGBT ‘rights’ or even immigration issues ever take precedence over that mission,” Kalchik wrote in his message.
The priest reportedly burned a rainbow flag in a private ceremony last week. (Wikimedia Commons)
In a note added after publication, he said: “On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Feast of Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we will burn, in front of church, the rainbow flag that was unfortunately hanging in our sanctuary during the ceremonial first Mass as Resurrection parish.”
Following Kalchik’s homily, the Archdiocese of Chicago reportedly said that the priest had agreed not to go ahead with his plans.
“We can confirm that the pastor has agreed not to move forward with these activities,” the archdiocese’s communications director, Anne Mascelli, told Chicago-based LGBT+ newspaper Windy Times.
However, according to Church Militant, Kalchik decided to instead cut up and burn the Pride flag in a private ceremony attended by church members.
“Parishioners of Resurrection Parish in Chicago, Illinois, held a rainbow flag-burning event last week, cutting up and setting on fire an LGBT flag that once hung in the sanctuary at the parish’s first Mass,” an article dated September 15 on the website reads.
Kalchik reportedly burnt the flag with other church members. (Justin Sullivan/Getty)
It adds: “Father Paul was asked not to go through with a public burning of the rainbow banner, as complaints were heard from the gay community, and those complaints never fall on deaf ears in today’s culture. Therefore, the burning was carried out privately, by a few parishioners.”
PinkNews has contacted the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Resurrection Parish for comment.
Two Catholic priests were recently arrested for having oral sex in public in Miami Beach, Florida—with one being removed from his ministry in Chicago by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
