A priest is calling on the Maltese to display the crucifix in windows and doors for this weekend's feast of Christ the King in reaction to the controversial judgment by the European Court of Human Rights.

Fr Paul Camilleri has circulated an e-mail calling on people to display crucifixes in houses, band clubs and the premises of the various associations to celebrate the feast.

The feast, the last one in the liturgical calendar before Advent, was very appropriate to manifest the "great connection with the cross", Fr Camilleri said.

He said he agreed to send the e-mail even though it was not his idea: "I was speaking to someone and he suggested it. I liked the idea and sent an e-mail."

Publicly displaying the crucifixes would compensate for the offence towards the cross sparked by the recent judgment, he explained. The European Court of Human Rights ruled that displaying crucifixes in Italian classrooms violated parents' rights to secular education for their children.

The case was raised by a Finnish-born woman who wanted to raise her two children as non-Catholics in an Italian school. After taking her case to the Strasbourg-based Court, she won €5,000 in damages as the court argued crucifixes violated religious and educational freedoms.

Fr Camilleri did not expect the e-mail to be circulated around Malta so fast: "I had no idea it was going to be so popular but it clearly shows the judgment ignited something in people's hearts."

It seemed that everyone bar Christians enjoyed freedom of expression and could do what they pleased, he said. "I think my e-mail was popular because this topic touched people's consciences; even in the case of those who are not Christians. In fact, many Maltese don't go to Mass but they were still angry over this. This must mean something."

Fr Camilleri also suggested holding a ceremony in churches and schools during which those present would kiss the crucifix, similar to the one held during Holy Week.

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