Iceland Bishop Condemns Vandalism of Rainbow Flag, Calls it Attack on Minorities

The Bishop of Iceland has strongly condemned an act of vandalism at Grafarvogskirkja, where a rainbow flag was defaced with paint. Bishop Guðrún Karls Helgadóttir stated that the incident involved a misuse and desecration of the Icelandic flag itself, as its colors were also used in the act, and the cross was notably absent from the painted rendition.

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I miss the cross in the flag, since it is being painted. This is not really the Icelandic flag. I consider this vandalism of the Icelandic flag and its misuse, to paint it on the ground so we are walking on it. And there is not much respect in sneaking around in the middle of the night with paint buckets and painting over the Icelandic flag with the flag of diversity that Grafarvogskirkja itself decided to paint there.

"I miss the cross in the flag, since it is being painted," Bishop Helgadóttir told mbl.is. "This is not really the Icelandic flag. I consider this vandalism of the Icelandic flag and its misuse, to paint it on the ground so we are walking on it. And there is not much respect in sneaking around in the middle of the night with paint buckets and painting over the Icelandic flag with the flag of diversity that Grafarvogskirkja itself decided to paint there."

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This is an attack on minority groups. It is being shown very clearly with this. I am very sorry that people are using our beautiful Icelandic flag for this. But this naturally describes a larger problem.

The bishop characterized the act as an attack on minority groups, specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community. She expressed sorrow that the Icelandic flag was used in such a manner, suggesting the incident reflects a larger issue of prejudice against gay people in Iceland. This marks the fourth time the rainbow flag at this location has been vandalized, with similar incidents occurring annually around Pride events.

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This is naturally an attack on minority groups. It is being shown very clearly with this. I am very sorry that people are using our beautiful Icelandic flag for this. But this naturally describes a larger problem.

Police are investigating the incident as vandalism and a hate crime. The current parish priest of Grafarvogskirkja confirmed that the rainbow flag would be repainted when weather and conditions permit. The bishop, however, chose not to use the word "condemn," instead describing the act as "sad" and expressing pity for those responsible, emphasizing a desire for understanding rather than condemnation.

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I don't want to use any such words. I find this mainly sad and feel a bit sorry for those who do such things, rather than condemning them.