Flags on a Church Flagpole and in Church
The Earl Marshall has issued a warrant in relation to the flying
of flags in churches and this, amplified, is presented below.
What
The correct flag to fly on a church of the Church of England is
the Cross of St George with a small shield of the diocesan arms in the canton (i.e.
the quarter in the upper hoist of the flag).
It is improper to fly the Union Flag (or Union Jack), whether flown
the right way up or the wrong way up.
When
Flags may be flown on festivals and other holy days at the discretion
of the Incumbent. Note that Christmas and Easter are seasons rather than individual
days.
When flown at Christmas, flags should be hoisted late on Christmas
eve and flown until the Feast of the Presentation, or if preferred until the Feast
of the Epiphany.
When flown at Easter, flags should be hoisted late on Easter eve
and flown until the day of Pentecost.
Flags may not be flown during Holy Week.
In general flags should not be flown from churches on the State's
flag days - even on the Queen's birthday.
How
In general, flags may not be flown at half-mast. The Christian
faith holds that after this life, we enter a new life. The Christian Church
celebrates death as "birth into heaven", it is not therefore appropriate to fly
flags in such a way as to suggest mourning.
It is possible that there may be exceptional days of mourning and
penitence, but these will be individually advised by the Archbishop, Bishop or Vicar,
in which case the following guidance may be of use:
"Half-mast" is roughly one flag's height down from the top of the
mast.
The flag should be raised right to the top first, and then lowered
- otherwise it is not half-mast, it has just been raised improperly. Likewise, at
the end of the day the flag should be raised before being lowered.
"Half-mast" comes from the days when, after a battle, the victor's
flag would be displayed above the losers. The space above the lowered (half
mast) flag dates from the time when notable people had their own flag, to show that
the person who's flag is flying has lost the battle of life; death has won, and
the empty space is for death's flag.
Flags in Church
The Liturgical Adviser to The Royal Army Chaplains' Department
offers the following information:
"Note that British Legion and Regimental Association Standards
are not to be confused with Regimental Colours which are presented by the Sovereign
and Consecrated by the Chaplain-General in her presence. Colours and Guidon
are placed on the altar - all other flags are stood near the altar."
More information
More information about Flags and the protocol regarding Flags in
non-Church buildings may be found
here.
A comprehensive database of world flags may be found
here.