The Chicago Catholic Archdiocese ordered one of its priests, Fr. Paul Kalchik, to not burn a Pride flag. However, he proceeded to do so anyway.
The clergyman had planned on burning the LGBTQ emblem on September 29, in front of the Resurrection Catholic Church. Kalchik announced his public intention to do so, in a Homily. According to Kalchik, it’s part and parcel of restoring what he views as a more Orthodox Catholicism.
According to Gay Star News, Kalchik wrote that “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 …”
Kalchik continued: “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.”
The Archdiocese acted swiftly to bar Kalchik from his actions. LGBTQ advocacy groups applauded the decision of the Church, and noted that a majority of Catholic believers were supportive of the LGBTQ community, and the community’s issues.
However, according to NBC News, “But despite the archdiocese’s request, Kalchik and some of his parishioners did move forward and burned the flag last Friday.”
As reported by the site Church Militant, “Kalchik decided to instead cut up and burn the Pride flag in a private ceremony attended by church members.”