Crucifix banned in Italian schools

November 3, 6:50 PMAlbuquerque Catholic Examiner Thomas Leiker

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The European Court of Human Rights reached a decision Tuesday that crucifixes will be banned from Italian classrooms.  To Catholic Christians in the United States and throughout the world, this is an outrage.  There is a natural reverence of holy places, and for the Christian, only the Holy Lands themselves would deem higher devotion and pilgrimage than Italy, the home of the papacy and the Church, and the residence of numerous saints, not the least of which is St. Francis of Assisi.

     The cross is indeed a national symbol in Italy, and for some it would be hard to picture the nation without that insignia.  Ever since the first days of the recognized Church, when Emperor Constantine declared free Christianity and made it the state religion of the Roman Empire, Italy has been at the center of Christ’s Church.

     The ruling included wording suggesting such symbols might be harmful to non-Christians.  One of the fears attached with this ruling is that it could start a trend throughout Europe, and for some it would suggest the Star of David or any symbols that are associated with a faith will be banned.  Some Italians believe this attitude was produced by the large number of immigrants that have flowed into their country including many of Muslim faith.  However, when one religion loses a case like this, all religions lose as well.

     The decision is the result of a 2002 suit brought by a Finnish immigrant who stated her children’s rights were violated by the display of crucifixes at the state school they attended.  The school administration defended the practice, rightly advising of the cultural and historic significance of the sign.  Italian courts apparently backed that decision, thus the case went before the European court.  The court fined Italy but did not immediately order the removal of any crucifixes which gives a sort of split-decision appearance, but the plaintiff through her spokesman husband said she was happy with the ruling and the end to discrimination associated with the crucifix.

     Condemnation of the decision crossed political and religious lines.  Obviously the Vatican had a statement voiced by Jesuit Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office.  He reminded the audience that the cross has always been a sign of love, sacrifice, and unity.  He expressed sorrow that it had become a symbol of division.  Representatives in the Italian government and court system expressed their disappointment, some even referring to the fear of a trend beginning.  Spokespeople for other religions and persuasions also offered their sadness.

     An article in the November/December issue of The Saturday Evening Post, entitled Faith in America covers the rise and fall and rise again of religious belief in this country.  Keeping the symbol of Christian or any other faith before the eyes of a believing faithful has always been a challenge.  Keep in mind it was 1954 when ‘God’ was added to the Pledge of Allegiance and only nine years later that Madalyn Murray O’Hare’s successful lawsuit before the Supreme Court ended prayer in public schools…anybody’s prayer.  The Post article revisited words of Thomas Jefferson who was an advocate of religious freedom before it was acceptable to the new government.  TJ did well to remind everyone that they will not be damaged because someone else carries a symbol of their faith.