Joseph Meli, Ta' Xbiex
Crucifix controversy continues (2)
Before the recent ECHR ruling, an immigrant from Egypt with an Italian father had filed a lawsuit in Italy in 2003 to order the removal of the crucifix from a public school.
This man was from the district of L'Aquila, which was hit by an earthquake earlier this year. Adel Smith, the man who filed this complaint, was also the president of the Union of Muslims of Italy.
Judge Mario Montanaro ruled that the cross should be removed because "the presence of the crucifix in classrooms communicates an implicit adherence to values that, in reality, are not the shared heritage of all citizens".
Two years later, there was another confrontation where he described the representation of Christ on the cross as a "miniature cadaver".
The Ministry of Education appealed against this sentence, arguing that the 1920s law is still in effect, and it had no plans to apply the court ruling in Italian schools. Later, another Italian judge overturned the previous judgment and declared that displaying the crucifix in the classroom was according to law.
The Muslim leader also objected vigorously to the presence of the crucifix in the hospital room in L'Aquila where his mother was being treated. When hospital officials refused to remove the crucifix, he tore it off the wall himself and threw it out of the window.
He told officials at San Salvatore Hospital that his mother "will not die in a room where there is a crucifix".
Mgr Giuseppe Betori told the Italian Bishops' Conference, "You can't chase crosses out of schools; the overwhelming majority of Italians want them, and consider them the strongest expression of the cultural roots of their civilisation."
The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano described Mr Smith's gesture as "unbearable", and observed that the Muslim is giving rise to "one provocation after another, one offensive act after another, to the point of outrage".
The report also condemned the "intolerable and blasphemous attitude of an individual who never misses an opportunity to gain publicity by creating an awkward situation for those who profess their faith, and have distanced themselves from his provocative behaviour".
Legal expert Augusto Barbera, editor of a constitutional law journal, stated in Corriere della Sera that "there are laws on this issue and a judge cannot ignore them".
He also questioned this ruling and said: "We consider this sentence deeply flawed."
Later, a representative of the Muslim League in Italy confirmed and described Mr Smith's latest action - the forcible removal of the crucifix - as an act of "mad provocation".
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Joseph Meli
Nov 29th 2009, 21:49
Good to note that the Itanian country is a secular state and is a state or country that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any particular religious beliefs or practices. A secular state also treats all its citizens equally regardless of religion, and does not give preferential should act. In Malta we treat other religions equal treatment.
Ironically, the politicians do not defend the crucifix as a religious symbol, but rather as a cultural one, part of the heritage and values of their country which, nevertheless, cast aside Catholicism as the national religion in 1984.
The Pope sees the crucifix as a source of consolation and a symbol of the "civilization of love." It is venerated by Christians worldwide, and adorns the walls of Italy's schools, hospitals, and courtrooms--but for how long? People geather near this wall with the cross to say prayers and many have reported to have or are being healed.
It was also reported that during November 2003, a higher court rescinded the original ruling and the crosses can stay hanging on walls. In this village street strewn with debris, nothing can be recognized, except this upheld..cross.
John Smith
Nov 29th 2009, 20:19
The decision by the judge in L'Aquila had increased further tensions between Catholics and atheists, and between Christians and Muslims, said La Repubblica on Sunday reported.
Italy has a rapidly growing Muslim population - mainly of recent immigrants - which is put at more than one million, according to the latest estimates. But they like or not, good to note that the law requiring crucifixes to be hung in schools dates back to the 1920s, when Catholicism was state religion in Italy.
Although a revised accord between the Vatican and the Italian Government ended Catholicism's position as state religion in 1984, the crucifix law has never been repealed but protected. However, the presence of crucifixes in classrooms is left to individual head teachers
Last month, Education Minister Letizia Moratti said the cross should remain in state schools and hospitals. But before the earthquake, Smith went and thrown the cross from the window to the ground, and nurses got it back on the wall. After the earth-quake, the wall with the cross[crucifix] was the only part that did not fall..or..break. Furthermore, where the cross fell, one can see a large hole..in..the..ground. Can anyone explain to..us..this?
A. Zahra
Nov 29th 2009, 16:55
@ charles sammut.
I am sorry to say that your knowledge of Italian culture and history is very poor indeed. I recommend that you go back to university to study the subject. You will be very surprised how much you will discover about your very own cultural roots.
renald williams
Nov 29th 2009, 15:50
Maybe the controversy would diminish if we increase our love to our fellow humans, as He loved us Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5-8
Charles Sammut
Nov 29th 2009, 11:45
@Mgr Giuseppe Betori told the Italian Bishops' Conference, "You can't chase crosses out of schools; the overwhelming majority of Italians want them, and consider them the strongest expression of the cultural roots of their civilisation."
Culture and civilisation have been hijacked by Christians. What Mgr Betori said is historically incorrect and meant to decieve. The cultural roots of Italian civilisation lie in the pagan Romans and Greeks.