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Italy school crucifixes 'barred' | Italy school crucifixes 'barred' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the use of crucifixes in classrooms in Italy. | 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. | 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. | The case was brought by an Italian mother, Soile Lautsi, who wants to give her children a secular education. |
The Vatican said it was shocked by the ruling, calling it "wrong and myopic" to exclude the crucifix from education. | The Vatican said it was shocked by the ruling, calling it "wrong and myopic" to exclude the crucifix from education. |
The ruling has sparked anger in the largely Catholic country, with one politician calling the move "shameful". | 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." | 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. | 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. |
European identity | European identity |
Mrs Lautsi complained to the European court that her children had to attend a public school in northern Italy that had crucifixes in every room. | Mrs Lautsi complained to the European court that her children had to attend a public school in northern Italy that had crucifixes in every room. |
She was awarded 5,000 euros ($7,400; £4,500) in damages. | She was awarded 5,000 euros ($7,400; £4,500) in damages. |
Vatican spokesman the Rev Federico Lombardi said the European court had no right intervening in such a profoundly Italian matter, the Associated Press reported. | Vatican spokesman the Rev Federico Lombardi said the European court had no right intervening in such a profoundly Italian matter, the Associated Press reported. |
"It seems as if the court wanted to ignore the role of Christianity in forming Europe's identity, which was and remains essential." | "It seems as if the court wanted to ignore the role of Christianity in forming Europe's identity, which was and remains essential." |
He told Italian TV: "The crucifix has always been a sign of God's love, unity and hospitality to all humanity. | He told Italian TV: "The crucifix has always been a sign of God's love, unity and hospitality to all humanity. |
"It is unpleasant that it is considered a sign of division, exclusion or a restriction of freedom." | "It is unpleasant that it is considered a sign of division, exclusion or a restriction of freedom." |
'Italian tradition' | 'Italian tradition' |
Many politicians in Italy have reacted angrily. | 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. | 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. | One government minister called the ruling "shameful", while another said that Europe was forgetting its Christian heritage. |
The government says it will appeal against the decision. | The government says it will appeal against the decision. |
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome says that it is customary in Italy to see crucifixes in public buildings, including schools, despite the constitution saying that there should be a separation of church and state. | The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome says that it is customary in Italy to see crucifixes in public buildings, including schools, despite the constitution saying that there should be a separation of church and state. |
The law requiring crucifixes to be hung in schools dates back to the 1920s. | The law requiring crucifixes to be hung in schools dates back to the 1920s. |
Although a revised accord between the Vatican and the Italian government ended Catholicism's position as the state religion in 1984, the crucifix law has never been repealed. | Although a revised accord between the Vatican and the Italian government ended Catholicism's position as the state religion in 1984, the crucifix law has never been repealed. |
Some conservatives have already complained about schools dropping nativity plays to avoid upsetting Muslim children. | Some conservatives have already complained about schools dropping nativity plays to avoid upsetting Muslim children. |