National Cathedral to replace Confederate flags in windows

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington National Cathedral says it will remove the images of a Confederate battle flag from its stained glass windows because, officials say, it is an image of hatred and racial supremacy.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is the Episcopal bishop of Washington and interim dean at the cathedral. She said in a prepared statement on Wednesday that a task force examined the origins of the windows and the impact of racist symbols. The windows were installed in 1953.

After receiving the task force's report, cathedral officials decided the flags will be replaced by plain glass on two 8-foot-by-4-foot windows. The cathedral is working to determine the cost and establish a timeline.

The windows honor Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee.