NY Church Bars Flags on Vets' Coffins

[289sotherhalf]

August 06, 2009
Times Union, Albany, N.Y.

STILLWATER, New York -- It was an unusually cold day in March 2007 when Florence Moll laid her husband to rest.

George Moll had died unexpectedly in his bed at age 75 after a life of service.

He served aboard the USS Allagash during the Korean War, worked 31 years for railroads and volunteered at veterans groups in Stillwater and Mechanicville for decades.

A dedicated parishioner of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, he lit a candle for an ill relative the evening before he died.

But his funeral service at St. Peter's -- his lifelong church -- upset his widow and family. Priests at the parish formerly allowed American flags to drape coffins in the entryway of the church before replacing them with cloth coverings known as palls. However, the new parish administrator at the time, the Rev. James Kane, strictly enforced a Catholic church rule that all non-Christian symbols, including flags, not rest on or near coffins in churches.

Full Story

[centermass]

My first reaction is "Fuck these motherfuckers"

After taking a few minutes, calming down, realizing this was a catholic church and relooking at all the facts and circumstances involved, I've changed my original response.

















Should have read "Fuck THOSE motherfuckers."

[RANGER513]

Should have read "fuck THOSE motherfuckers."

x 2

[RangerX]

Whats a church?

A common mis-spelling of the word crutch.

[Rock Island Ranger]

Well, crutch or not Im a fan of some Churches and while I dont agree with that churches position, I guess they have a right to make the rules if they want. The Cathloics are pretty steeped in symbolisms, traditions, and such. I dont get their position. And yea, call me a sheep if ya like but I prefer to be called "free".

[Jim]

Well, crutch or not Im a fan of some Churches and while I dont agree with that churches position, I guess they have a right to make the rules if they want. The Cathloics are pretty steeped in symbolisms, traditions, and such. I dont get their position. And yea, call me a sheep if ya like but I prefer to be called "free".

And this is why I continue to support the Pastor of Disaster.

This must be a local rule by a parish; I cannot believe that this is nationwide.

[K.Ingraham]

Churches don't serve nations, they serve God, something of a higher authority.

[Steadfast]

This Rev. James Kane is a tool of the devil.

[Silverback]

It is the church's decision...

[RangerX]

Wasn't there a stink about JFK being a Catholic? Something about service to church first, nation second.....

[RRDTm3]

fuck catholics, they can commit any sin, confess to the head perv, say some hail mary's and be clean again

[rgrokelley]

fuck catholics, they can commit any sin, confess to the head perv, say some hail mary's and be clean again

No shit!? Is there a forum for that, or do I have to pay dues?