Confederate symbols to be removed from National Cathedral

WASHINGTON — Confederate symbols will be removed from stained-glass windows memorializing Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in the Washington National Cathedral.

The change comes following a unanimous vote from leaders at the cathedral.

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"Washington National Cathedral will convene a series of public forums and events on issues of racism, slavery and racial reconciliation as part of the next phase of considering the future of stained glass windows memorializing Confederate Generals," the cathedral leaders said in a statement June 8.

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"The Lee-Jackson windows call the question of race and the legacy of slavery, and instead of turning away from that question, the Cathedral has decided to lean into it," the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, the Cathedral's canon cheologian and a member of the Cathedral's task force said.

"Instead of simply taking the windows down and going on with business as usual, the Cathedral recognizes that, for now, they provide an opportunity for us to begin to write a new narrative on race and racial justice at the Cathedral and perhaps for our nation."

The cathedral will begin the public dialogue July 17 with a panel discussion called "What the White Church Must Do."

CNN reported that the windows were installed in 1953 after being requested by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The windows were installed to "honor the lives and legacies" of Jackson and Lee," the Very Rev. Gary Hall, former dean of the cathedral, said.

The cathedral said the Confederate flags will be replaced by plain glass. The windows will remain as is for the rest of the public discussions.

Cox Media Group