Italian minister responds to European court: 'We will not remove crucifixes from the classroom'
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Rome, Italy, Nov 4, 2009 / 10:21 am (CNA).- Italy’s Minister of Education, Mariastella Gelmini, has rejected the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favor of removing crucifixes from public schools.  She stated, “Nobody, much less a European court that is steeped in ideology, will be allowed to strip our identity away.”

The court ruled the presence of crucifixes in classrooms could be a “bother” to students who practice other faiths or who are atheists and that the State should abstain from imposing beliefs in public places. “Religious neutrality should be observed in the context of public education,” the court ruled.

The case was filed before the court by an Italian mother of two boys ages 11 and 13 who attended public school from 2001-2002 in the town of Abano Terme in northeastern Italy.  Crucifixes were hung in each classroom.

After losing in the Italian courts, the woman filed her suit before the European Court, which ruled in her favor and ordered that she be paid 5,000 euros in damages. Italian officials said the ruling would be appealed.

Minister Gelmini rejected the ruling and told reporters, “The presence of crucifixes in the classroom does not signify adhesion to Catholicism, but rather represent our tradition.”

“The history of Italy is full of symbols and if they are eliminated, a part of us will end up be eliminated,” she said.

After noting that nobody “in this country wants to impose the Catholic religion,” she noted that the Italian constitution “rightly recognizes the value of the Catholic religion for our society.”

Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Luca Zaia, also deplored the ruling and said, “The Court has decided that crucifixes offend the sensibilities of non-Christians. It’s the Court that is offending the sentiments of the European peoples who have their origin in Christianity. What an embarrassment!”

In addition, former Minister of Culture, Rocco Buttiglione, said the ruling was “abhorrent.”  He called for it to be strongly rejected saying, “Italy has its culture, its traditions and its history.  Those who come among us should understand and accept this culture and this history,” he added.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: sylvia laoutas
uk 11/13/2009 06:09 PM EST
If this objection and ruling by the echr was in april I would have thought it was april fool. Who is the woman? How did one person take this nonsense to and was awarded by the european court. Its a disgrace...and whats more its smells of an incitement. Did she do this on her own or is there a hidden agenda? A crucifix is not a threat. I could go on but I am so angry and upset .. sorry
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Published by: Joe
Melbourne. Australia 11/09/2009 12:22 AM EST
I am sick of being told by the minority on how to live and what to believe in, 99% of Italians population are Cathoic Christians and they have to give up their traditions to keep the minority apeased. What a load of political correctness crap. And then a Turk judge who is a muslem to judicate in a Christian continent, that is the highest slap in the face to Italians, the very ones who in the 1571 wanted to conquer and islamisize all of Italy and then the rest of Europe. If you dont agree with Italian culture and way of life then get out and go back to where you come from. Why are you in Italy in the first place. You knew Italy was Catholic and they have the right to worship and display their faith as they please. By the way why is a Turk judge judicating in a European court if Turkey is not part of the union. Hopfully they never will.
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Published by: Fred
Chicago 11/06/2009 01:19 PM EST
I hope they stand their ground, but the right answer - obviously - is not to deny that a crucifix is a symbol of Catholicism, but rather it is to deny that the any pious expression of religion is rightfully offensive to anyone.
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Published by: Martin
Slovakia 11/06/2009 12:33 PM EST
IT IS TIME THAT THOSE WHO COME AMONG US RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT OUR WAYS AND TRADITIONS!! We are christian, why should we ask someone to keep crucifix? Freedom doesn't meen we forget our faith! Those who want us to do this probably shoul look how christians are treated in non-christian countries! Our country, our people, our faith..love it or leave it..nothing between!
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Published by: Jose
Bangalore 11/06/2009 04:26 AM EST
A story - A baby fish living in a salty lake daily attends an school in a cave deep under the lake. The fish complained to the court of learned fish that the water of the scholl-cave is salty. The the court of learned fish ordered to purify the cave water by removing salt content. Foolishness?! I wonder whether commonsense has lost to the people of Europe! How can you keep silent on it? What is a public place? only the classroom ? What about the skylines? roadsides? Will they remove all the churches from the eyesight? There are symbols of all religion around the world. In India, we see many symbols of different religion - no one is offended! Who gets offended on seeing a crucifix? only one answer - the Devil ! ..and now Europe has a court of Devils men! People of Europe, rise again! Learn from the signs of the time! Respond responsibly! Identify the presence of the Evil Spirit among you and drive it out! Otherwise you will be repeating the history of the ruined ancient civilizations! This event opens up the truth of many of the prophecies in the Bible… I start to believe it evermore!
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Published by: Brian
Ottawa, ON. Canada 11/06/2009 12:22 AM EST
IT IS TIME THAT THOSE WHO COME AMONG US RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT OUR WAYS AND TRADITIONS...or leave and go back where they come from! We all welcome foreigners when they come to our shores, be it Canada or the U.S.A., they also know that we are Christian countries, as we are the majority religious belief in North America! As Americans say: OUR COUNTRY...LOVE IT OR -- LEAVE IT! God Bless America...and Canada!
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Published by: Brian
Germany 11/05/2009 05:58 PM EST
Catholics must form their own political parties regionally and nationally, and then connect internationally. This is our sole worldly hope. Ouor spiritual aid lies in prayer - especially the rosary.
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Published by: Stephen
U.S.A. 11/05/2009 02:42 PM EST
The highest court in the world is the court of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This almighty God will have the ultimate say when all is said and done in this world. Let us pray that the populations of Italy and the the rest of Europe and the world wake up from their deep sleep to what's unfolding at a rapid and alarming rate in recent days. But remember well the Lord is slow to anger and that a day is as a thousand years to him. Turn to him while you still can because he is tenderly waiting for each of his children to turn to him in this great hour of confusion in this world. Jesus is Lord. Lord have mercy on us all and pray for us while your mercy is available. He is knocking at each of your doors. Please answer his call while you still can. A day is a thousand years to the Lord.
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Published by: h.j.d'cruz
Karachi 11/05/2009 05:16 AM EST
The Dajjal ( The Anti-Christ ) is getting active. Signs of the end of the world.
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Published by: John
Miami, FL USA 11/04/2009 09:06 PM EST
Beware civil war in Italy and France for this is the sign given by prophets of the beginning of a "minor" chastisement.
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Published by: Kevin
Idaho USA 11/04/2009 07:54 PM EST
"“Italy has its culture, its traditions and its history. Those who come among us should understand and accept this culture and this history." Yes, and this is similar to remarks by Sarkozy a few years back. To define pluralism as the censoring of the majority by a few is an Orwellian use of the word. And a successful eradication of Europe's Christian tradition can only be followed by a different culture to replace it; probably the same materialist one that is causing the slow death of northwestern Europe, and one which most Italians apparently reject. It is the Court that is imposing.
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Published by: BS
England 11/04/2009 05:47 PM EST
Italy is a beacon of hope in this world of darkness right now - I really hope they stick to it. May bless you all.
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Published by: Robert
USA 11/04/2009 05:15 PM EST
I will be very interested to see how Minister Gelmini's defiance is viewed at the European Court. Will the court attempt to enforce the judgment if appeal fails? As I wrote on my blog The Vatican Lobby, this case may well determine who has the real power within Europe--Brussels, or the Roman Catholic Church. We shall see.
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Published by: Mary
Fort Worth, Texas USA 11/04/2009 03:28 PM EST
Isn't is ironic that our soldiers protecting Islamic Iraq could not bring bibles into the country; yet crucifixes are to be banned in a most Christian country? The very seat of Catholicism? Satan must be giggling with glee right now. His acolytes are working hard.
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Published by: dancingcrane
San Diego/CA/USA 11/04/2009 03:20 PM EST
Welcome to the USSR of Europe. People who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Pray hard - this is only the beginning....
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