The General Synod of the Church of Ireland to be held later this month will be asked to approve a resolution stating that the only flags authorised to be flown on or near church buildings are the flag of St Patrick and the Anglican flag, the Compassrose.
In an obvious attempt to discourage the flying of the Union Jack on churches in Northern Ireland which commonly occurs during the marching season, the resolution, from the synod's sub-committee on sectarianism, suggests that the flying of any flag other than church flags should not be specifically authorised.
The resolution stops short of banning the flying of the Union Jack, or any political flag.
The sub-committee was asked to report to this year's synod on sectarianism, following heated debate in recent years arising out of the Drumcree crisis. For the past four years a stand-off has taken place on the first Sunday in July as an Orange parade has sought to march home along Garvaghy Road in Portadown from a service at Drumcree parish church.
The report outlines at some length theological differences between the Church of Ireland and the loyal orders, where, it says, "insufficient emphasis is ostensibly given to the New Testament".
The 23-person sub-committee, headed by the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames, and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, met 18 times and received 34 written submissions.
It also recommends two other resolutions, one of which deals with the authority of bishops over local churches.
The sub-committee resisted calls for a change in the power of bishops to exert control over local churches and their ruling bodies (select vestries).
The report points out that such new church legislation would be highly unlikely to succeed if offered to the synod, and that it would be better to "encourage mature counsel and responsible action".
However, it does propose a resolution that those attending the service should abide by three pledges: to avoid any action before, during or after the service which would diminish the sanctity of the act of worship; obedience to the law before, during and after the service; and the avoidance of the use of church property in any civil protest around the service. If they refused, they should not be allowed attend, it states.