The Chancellor of the diocese of Leicester, Naomi Gyane, has ruled that a pride flag incorporating a white cross can’t be displayed as an altar frontal at St Nicholas Church.
The decision comes after permission was sought to make a “progress pride flag” a permanent fixture, after it was displayed on the nave alter in September 2022.
Following a petition to the diocese, the consistory court refused to grant its permission, stating that the flag is “not a Christian emblem.”
Gyane said that while the flag signifies a welcome to the LGBTQ+ community, the secular contemporary emblem” is used for “many causes and contemporary discourse”.
Gayne highlighted the focus, purpose and celebration of Holy Communion is to unite and remember the sacrifice of Jesus. Quoting Galatians 3:28 she said the pride flag did not symbolise a unifying belief within the Church that was appropriate for communion.
“The Altar frontal should be of a design that all can gaze upon, and immediately focus on in remembrance, the saving work of Christ and Christ alone.”
As an LGBTQ+ inclusive church, St Nicholas has seen its congregation double in size since 2022.
The proposal was for the frontal to be placed on the nave altar for Sunday services, as well as on Saturdays when the building was open to the public.
Petitioners claimed the flag represented all of Christ’s redeemed church through Jesus’ death, “including Trans people, black and brown people, and LGBT people” and signposted to a safe place for members of the LGBTQI+ community.
