Classroom crucifix violates human rights, European court rules
Could this be our first example of the day of Christianophobia? Is the European Court of Human Rights Christianophobic?
It’s OK, I know that our EU rulers, in general, seethe and pulsate with anti-Christian sentiment, I’m just looking for opportunities to use my new words.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Italian schools have violated the rights of their students and their parents by displaying crucifixes on classroom walls. The court ordered Italy to pay €5,000 ($7,400) in “moral damages” to a mother who had complained about the presence of the crucifix in her children’s classrooms.
Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, declined an opportunity to criticize the court’s ruling. He said: “I believe reflection is needed before commenting.”
And from the BBC
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the use of crucifixes in classrooms in Italy.
It said the practice violated the right of parents to educate their children as they saw fit, and ran counter to the child’s right to freedom of religion.
The case was brought by an Italian mother, Soile Lautsi, who wants to give her children a secular education.
But the ruling has sparked anger in the largely Catholic country, with one politician calling the move “shameful”.
The Strasbourg court found that: “The compulsory display of a symbol of a given confession in premises used by the public authorities… restricted the right of parents to educate their children in conformity with their convictions.”
It also restricted the “right of children to believe or not to believe”, the seven judges ruling on the case said in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.
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But many politicians in Italy have reacted angrily.
Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a “symbol of our tradition”, and not a mark of Catholicism.
One government minister called the ruling “shameful”, while another said that Europe was forgetting its Christian heritage.
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Some conservatives have already complained about schools dropping nativity plays to avoid upsetting Muslim children.
Further Internet Links
Court Rules Against Crucifixes in Italian Public Schools
European Court of Human Rights Bans Crucifixes in Italian Schools
No crosses in school, Europe court (ANSA)
European court: No crucifixes in Italian schools (AP)
CRUCIFIXES: FINI, NO SECULAR NEGATION OF CHRISTIANITY
Italy vows to fight court ruling against crucifixes
Tags: Christianity, Law Moral Ethical