Cemetery Organization Removes Flags from Church Property

The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization recently removed all its flags from the front of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on North Centre Street, including a flag called the “Appeal to Heaven” flag which dates back to the Revolutionary War period and George Washington.   The Associated Press reports that in recent years the flag, showing a green pine tree on a white field, has become connected to Christian nationalism and was carried by some January 6 rioters.  Ed Taylor, president of the cemetery organization, said the church informed him to remove the flag…

“On Monday I get a call—the Appeal to Heaven flag has to be removed immediately.”

Taylor said that the Archdiocese of Baltimore had heard concerns about the flag, with some finding it divisive.

“The bishop in Baltimore had been contacted and he wanted to get it down right away.”