By Associated Press
Bayou La Batre, AL – Some parishioners are upset over a decision by their priest at Saint Margaret Roman Catholic Church to remove the American flag from the church. Many Catholic churches display the flag inside the church along with the Vatican flag. Until last week, Saint Margaret's did the same. The Reverend Bieu Van Nguyen said he removed both the American and Vatican flags after a dispute arose last week with parishioners over the proper display of the American flag inside the church. He said he now plans to display the flags only on national holidays such as the Fourth of July. The Very Reverend Michael Farmer, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Mobile, said Catholic Church law prohibits the display of any flag in a church sanctuary. He said that space, which includes the altar, is supposed to be reserved for God, who is above all nations and creeds. But Farmer admits most churches ignore the prohibition of flags and little effort is made to enforce the protocol. The Vietnamese-born Nguyen, known as Father Bill, said he loves his adopted homeland and his decision to remove the flag was not political.