Does the U.S. flag belong in a Roman Catholic church? The question may seem strange considering the abundance of flags being displayed throughout our nation on houses, in stores and at workplaces. Yet the question reflects a creative tension between our identities as Roman Catholics and as American citizens.
Before the funeral Mass for President John F. Kennedy in 1963, his casket was brought to the entrance of the Catholic church. The American flag was then removed from the casket and replaced with a pall, a white cloth symbolizing a baptismal garment.
That exchange puzzled many non-Catholics. Why did someone replace the U.S. flag with a white sheet? Because even though Kennedy had been the president, his identity as a Roman Catholic took precedence. Liturgically, the pall has more symbolic value than an American flag.
The powerful meaning of liturgical symbols ought not compete with secular symbols (reflecting nationalism, politics or popular culture). Although secular symbols may have a role to play at Mass, we must be careful that they do not distract us from the central theme of the Eucharist: We are one body in Christ.
In "Built on Living Stones," issued in 2000, the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee on Liturgy explained that the church building "manifests the baptismal unity of all who gather for the celebration of liturgy" and ought to express "the unity of the entire holy people." Through Baptism, we Christians are inextricably linked with Christians throughout the world. That is experienced when we attend Mass in other countries, even if it is celebrated in another language. The mystical body of Christ knows no national borders.
At Mass, we gather primarily as Roman Catholic Christians, not as U.S. citizens. Although culture informs our experience, when we enter the worshiping area of a church during liturgy, we are entering a sacred space during a sacred time. One's nationality and ethnic background, though important, are secondary to our identity as persons baptized in the Roman Catholic faith.
For that reason, the U.S. flag should not ordinarily be displayed in the worshiping area of the church. In 1978, the bishops' Committee on the Liturgy explained in "Environment and Art in Catholic Worship" that national flags "are not appropriate as permanent parts of the liturgical environment." Flags may be incorporated in the liturgy for a particular holiday; however, "they should not regularly constitute a part of the environment of common prayer."
Does that mean that there is no place for a flag inside a church? Liturgists and theologians recommend that if a U.S. flag is to be displayed in a church, it should be in the gathering space or lobby.
Following the horrendous acts of Sept. 11, a U.S. flag in a church lobby can remind us of our sense of national suffering and hope. When entering a church, this space can help us transition to the rich liturgical symbols of the worshiping space.
When we enter churches this weekend, let us recognize that in that sacred space, we are living in a sacred time with all who constitute the one Body of Christ, including our Christian sisters and brothers in south Asia and the Middle East.
Yes, we are proud to be Americans, but patriotic unity is secondary, at most, to the mystical unity offered when we break bread together at Mass.
(Editor's note: Mr. Boehrer is co-founder of the Albany Catholic Worker Community and may be reached at Emmaus House, 35 N. Main Ave., Albany 12203)