Italy appeals Rights Court ban on school crucifixes

ITALY began its appeal against a European Court of Human Rights ruling condemning the display of crucifixes in Italian schools in a case that could affect all of Europe.

The court’s ruling in November found the display of crucifixes in Italian schools breached the rights of non-Catholic families, drawing howls of anger from Church and political leaders in the staunchly Roman Catholic country.

Italy’s education minister attacked the initial ruling that crucifixes “restrict the right of parents to educate their children in conformity with their convictions”, insisting the crucifix was a “symbol of our tradition”.