Press Release
The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the
Northwest
POB 178388
Chicago Illinois 60617-8388
Office: 773-721-5383 Fax: 773-721-2581
Email: diocesenw@aol.com
October 9, 2005
Chicago, Illinois - For Immediate Release
Bishop Objects to Six Flags Great America Halloween Display
Bishop James Wilkowski, Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest, calls upon Six Flags Great America to remove a Halloween display depicting corpses hanging from trees.
This objectionable display is too similar to racial lynching which have taken place in this country and lacks respects for those victims of lynchings.
The Bishop calls for the removal of this display.
Attached is a copy of the Bishop's letter to Great America.
The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest
Post Office Box 178388 Chicago Illinois 60617-8388
Office: 773-721-5383 Fax: 773-721-2581 Email: diocesenw@aol.com
The Most Reverend James Alan Wilkowski, MPS, M Div.
October 9, 2005
Six Flags Great
America and
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
P.O. Box 1776
Gurnee,
Illinois 60031
RE:
Objectionable Halloween Display
Dear Six Flags,
In the business section of today’s Chicago Sun-Times, there is a picture of a Halloween display currently being used at your park depicting mummies or corpses being hung from tree branches.
I find this display highly objectionable for it is reminiscent of acts of racial lynching that have taken place in this country. I believe that your display, though well-intentioned, trivializes past acts of racial lynching in this country.
Surely the theme designers of Six Flags could easily rework this display or create a new one which would not be offensive or objectionable and still provide Six Flags visitors with the desired seasonal environment.
I remain,
Most Respectfully Yours,
James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest
www.evangelicalcatholicchurch.org/northwest.htm