English Wall

“The crucifix is a symbol that reflects not only the religious identity but also the cultural identity of a European nation”, which has been “specifically supported by European conventions and agreements”, including the rulings of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, since 1950. This was insisted on by the Slovenian Bishops in a notice signed by the president of the Slovenian Bishops Conference, Anton Stres. In the release, the Slovenian Bishops “support” the position taken by the Republic of Italy and other countries in the run-up to the forthcoming ruling of the European Court of Human Rights about the Crucifix and other religious symbols in public places. “Slovenia – a notice reads – as well as other European countries is literally strewn with Churches, crucifixes and other religious images and signs in public places, all of which express the national and cultural identity of Slovenia”. “Religious symbols in public places – the Slovenian Bishops state – do not act as a form of discrimination or exclusion, but rather as an expression of freedom and democracy as well as respect for the centuries-old tradition of the individual European nations”. So, “The thoughtless removal of crucifixes and other remaining religious symbols would be nothing more than a forceful separation of national identity from its spiritual and cultural traditions”.

© SIR - june 18 2010