Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said during a recent interfaith conference that “the crucifix is not just a religious symbol; it is also a symbol of tradition and therefore is not there just for Christians”.

However true this might be, we have to emphasise what the crucifix really means to the majority of Maltese who practise the Catholic religion. For us Christians, the crucifix is not simply a religious symbol but a living testimony of our faith.

Woe to us if it becomes simply a symbol of tradition. Unfortunately, that’s what’s happening in many Christian countries. Churches, which used to be places where people gather to pray or hear Mass have simply become museums for tourists to visit.

Crucifixes in churches and public places are not simply ornaments. Because we Catholics believe in the resurrected Christ, whenever we look at the cross, Jesus becomes alive and therefore the crucifix remains a living testimony of our faith. By asserting that the crucifix is also a symbol of tradition we shouldn’t lessen its real meaning and significance.

Let us keep the crucifix in public places not because of tradition but because it is a living testimony of our faith.