chrysostom Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) http://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2014/06/25/crucifix-mandatory-says-padua-mayor_149b6a5e-1cea-4bff-bbbd-3ac26aed5595.html Mandatory in public buildings, that is. Crucifixes are donated from the city. Thoughts? I think it's a wonderful idea. :D Edited June 28, 2014 by chrysostom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdavis Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 If there is not a particular rule or regulation, I do not agree that people should be told what to do in a public setting. It seems he believes strongly in venerating the image of Christ on the crucifix. At Mass, my preference is a religious priest raising the host to a crucifix, representing veneration to the image of the crucified Christ on the cross, with no other statue in the position where the crucifix should be located. The crucifix is a reminder that Christ suffered and died for our sins. The nuns in Catholic school told us everyday that Christ died for our sins, and to be thankful for what we have. The crucifix seems to be disappearing from Catholic church altars, and maybe the mayor wants to see it brought back, however, I do not agree it should be made mandatory for public settings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysostom Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) I do not agree that people should be told what to do in a public setting. Firstly it's not about what people are to do, but what is to be placed in public buildings. Secondly, and I'm no expert on this, but the Church-State separation so integral to American jurisprudence and culture simply doesn't exist in Italy, at least not in the same way. In any case I wonder what the reaction will be! Edited June 28, 2014 by chrysostom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdavis Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Continuation from earlier post.... Personally, I think it is a great idea because one of the highest methods of veneration is to the crucifix. There will be those that will see it from another point of view that they are being told that they have to display it. I do believe that they should have a choice, on the other hand, it is great that the mayor is wanting to bring it back and have it displayed in public settings..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdavis Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Yes, you are right, it is different in Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perigrina Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I suspect this is politically motivated rather than religiously. It sounds like a reaction to a case (cases?) in which a crucifix was taken down after a complaint by an immigrant. I think there is also some tension between EU and Italy over this sort of question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I suspect this is politically motivated rather than religiously. It sounds like a reaction to a case (cases?) in which a crucifix was taken down after a complaint by an immigrant. I think there is also some tension between EU and Italy over this sort of question. Right you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perigrina Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I found an article that explains the political context: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lautsi_v._Italy Lautsi v. Italy was a case brought before the European Court of Human Rights, which, on 18 March 2011, ruled that the requirement in Italian law that crucifixes be displayed in classrooms of state schools does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights. The case stemmed from a request of Mrs. Soile Lautsi, citizen of Finland and of Italy, against the School Council of a school in Abano Terme (province of Padua). When the School Council decided not to comply, Mrs. Lautsi applied to the Veneto Administrative Court. The administrative Court decided, on 17 March 2005, that the presence of crucifixes in State-school classrooms did not offend the principle of secularism. Ms Soile Lautsi appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court. The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the Veneto Court’s decision reasoning that in Italy the crucifix symbolized the religious origin of values (tolerance, mutual respect, valorization of the person, affirmation of one's rights, consideration for one's freedom, the autonomy of one's moral conscience vis-à -vis authority, human solidarity and the refusal of any form of discrimination) which characterized Italian civilization and that keeping the Crucifix did not have any religious connotations.[4] Lots more at link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysostom Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Ok, interesting. I didn't really do any research before posting the article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perigrina Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I think the article should have given more of the context. I'm not sure what they were thinking by presenting it as an isolated incident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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