Cross at the EU

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.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17681

It is not only minorities that have rights but majorities as well, said the archbishop.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8358027.stm

Lord Waddington said, "Well, we are living in a time when Christian beliefs are under attack. It's something that I never thought I would see during my lifetime."
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09111204.html

"...the anti-crucifix ruling coincided with a U.K. court decision that gives climate change beliefs the same legal status as religion. So in short, Europe proposes to take down the Tree of Life to save the trees."
http://www.zenit.org/article-27528?l=english

The committee noted that “the symbol of a crucifix does not compel anyone to follow a specific religion, and it is a historically inseparable part of the entire European Christian humanist tradition, the use of which does not affect unbelievers or non-Christians and does not restrict the freedom of pupils or their parents to exercise any religion and beliefs and their freedom of expression.”
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10011507.html