CNA

 

A number of Italian officials have responded to the ruling by the European Human Rights Court that ordered schools in Italy to remove crucifixes from the classrooms by taking unprecedented measures to preserve the Christian symbol.

According to the Italian daily “Avvenire,” the mayor of Sezzadio, Pier Luigi Arnera, has leveled a fine of 500 euros against anyone who removes a crucifix from a public place.

Arnera explained that the displaying of the crucifix in “places other than churches does not affect the dignity of anyone, because it is one of our cultural references.”

Likewise in the cities of Sassuolo and Trapani, officials have acquired dozens more crucifixes to display them in public schools.

In Montegrotto Terme, digital billboards that normally are used to inform the public are now displaying the crucifix with the phrase, “We will not take it down.” The mayor of Assisi has ordered that Nativity scenes be displayed in addition to the crucifix in public offices.

In Varesotto a local contractor placed a 16-foot cross on his farm in order to express his indignation over the EU court ruling.

CARLO

Thursday, 12. November 2009, 23:14

My dear friends.

Italians will deal with this 'law' in the way they have always dealt with such matters.

One need have no fear.


CARLO

Rose of York

Thursday, 12. November 2009, 23:32

CARLO

Thursday, 12. November 2009, 23:14

My dear friends.

Italians will deal with this 'law' in the way they have always dealt with such matters.

One need have no fear.


CARLO

Could it spread to other countries?

CARLO

Thursday, 12. November 2009, 23:14

Italians will deal with this 'law' in the way they have always dealt with such matters.
One need have no fear.

Quote:

 

Whatever individuals may feel about the display of crucifixes, or indeed any other religious symbol, surely the decision to remove them or keep them should be made by democratic discussion and debate rather than by legal dictat. The ECHR decision in the Lautsi case is a complete perversion of the concept of human rights and subjects an entire country to the tyranny of the minority.

We will have to see whether the ECHR may overrule itself on an appeal but in the meantime as a (Muslim) colleague said to me regarding this case: "Human rights seem to be increasingly used to end human rights."

Rose of York

Saturday, 14. November 2009, 01:52

Welcome to the forum, Neil.

The ending of your article shook me.

Quote:

 

Whatever individuals may feel about the display of crucifixes, or indeed any other religious symbol, surely the decision to remove them or keep them should be made by democratic discussion and debate rather than by legal dictat. The ECHR decision in the Lautsi case is a complete perversion of the concept of human rights and subjects an entire country to the tyranny of the minority.

We will have to see whether the ECHR may overrule itself on an appeal but in the meantime as a (Muslim) colleague said to me regarding this case: "Human rights seem to be increasingly used to end human rights."

Quote:

 

Madrid, Spain, Nov 14, 2009 / 02:55 am (CNA).- Archbishop Juan Jose Asenjo of Sevilla in Spain said this week the crucifix is “the sign and emblem of the greatest values: commitment, solidarity, piety, mercy and universal brotherhood.” His comments came in the wake of a ruling by the EU Human Rights Court ordering crucifixes to be removed from all classrooms in Italy.

In an interview given to the COPE Radio Network, the archbishop said the ruling “denies the right of parents who want crucifixes to remain in the classroom.”

“Yesterday we read that 84% of Italians want to keep them, and the right to religious freedom of a majority is being denied, and the Christians roots of Europe are being forgotten,” he said.