ITALY VOWS TO FIGHT FOR CLASSROOM CRUCIFIXES

ITALY CONDEMN EUROPEAN COURT RULING CRUCIFIXES
DISPLAYED IN SCHOOLS ARE A BREACH OF HUMAN RIGHTS

ROME - (AFP) Italian political leaders of left and right were united with the Vatican Wednesday in condemning a European court ruling that crucifixes displayed in schools are a breach of human rights. The reactions came quickly after the European Court of Human Rights ruling in response to a case brought by an Italian mother opposed to the hanging of crucifixes on classroom walls. The Strasbourg court found that the right of parents to educate their children according to their own beliefs, and children's right to freedom of religion, were breached by the crucifix in classrooms. They could also be "disturbing for pupils" from other religions and ethnic minorities, the court found, declaring a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Italian bishops' conference denounced the court as "partial and ideological". Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the Church reacted "with astonishment and regret". "The crucifix has always been a sign of God's love, unity and hospitality to all humanity. It is unpleasant that it is considered a sign of division, exclusion or a restriction of freedom," he said. Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the cross was part of Italian tradition.

"The presence of the crucifix in classrooms is not a sign of belief in Catholicism, rather it is a symbol of our tradition" and also "an anti-violence icon". The Archbishop of Gdansk, Slawoj Leszek Glodz said, "This is another attempt to rip God from the hearts of the people". The Corriere della Sera newspaper said the Strasbourg court had carried out "a little miracle, creating almost national unity to defend the symbol of Christianism".

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

No good can ever accrue to any jiva or creature except by complete surrender to the lotus Feet of Sri Chaitanya. ... When He pointed out that Krishna is the only Word and also its only Meaning (the only object of connotation) as well, in all languages, and of all scripts, there was a great consternation among His pupils of secular learning. But lovers and seekers of the Truth began to flock round His lotus feet for education in the transcendental literature. But the service of the holy Name, Who is the Life and soul of this transcendental learning, is not possible unless and until one takes up his abode here in sridham. And the service of the holy Desire of Krishna (Krishna-kama) is not possible without the method of the successful service of Krishna's Name.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura :
"Testimony of Love" - Chapter 1.