Zenit, Jun.23, http://www.zenit.org/article-29688?l=english
The decision of the European Court of Human Rights to ban the crucifix from Italian classrooms is a result of the encroachment of “secularist fundamentalism” and “Christianophobia,” says the former president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.
In November, the human rights court ruled in favour of an Italian citizen of Finnish origin who complained in 2002 that the state school where her two children studied violated their freedom by displaying crucifixes. Italy launched an appeal in January, contending that the crucifix is part of Italian cultural patrimony. Since then, 10 other member states have joined Italy’s appeal as third parties. At stake is not only the crucifix ban, but also the limits of the jurisdiction of the human rights court. The court’s Grand Chamber will hold a public hearing on June 30, and the final judgment on the case is expected by the end of the year.