Maltese bishops call on Christians to ‘treasure’ holy cross

Malta’s bishops have exhorted Christians to “treasure the Cross as the sign of humanity’s redemption by Christ” in a statement on the European Court ruling on crucifixes in public places.

The Maltese bishops have expressed satisfaction at Malta’s intervention in an appeal filed by Italy against a decision by the European Court of Human Rights, that found crucifixes inside public places did not respect the right to religious freedom. The European Court of Human Rights  ruled against the use of crucifixes in classrooms in Italy because it said the practice violated the right of parents to educate their children as they saw fit, and ran counter to the child's right to freedom of religion. The case was brought by an Italian mother, Soile Lautsi, who wants to give her children a secular education.

In a message by the episcopal conference, Bishops Paul Cremona, Mario Grech and Annetto Depasquale expressed their appreciation of the cross-party support for Malta’s stand.

“On that occasion the Prime Minister said that, ‘on a point of principle, we insist that a country which has upheld particular values and traditions for centuries should not be obliged to change them just because an individual objects to them. Indeed, the social and cultural characteristics of society should be respected for as long as the people of such a society so decide. A court which decides otherwise will not be showing sensitivity to such aspects and will be taking a wrong path.’

“We fully endorse this position. In this way we, as a nation, would be contributing our share in public life so that Europe does not lose its Christian roots because, as Pope John Paul II had stated: “Europe’s history would be incomprehensible without reference to the events which marked the great period of evangelization and then the long centuries in which Christianity…’”

The bishops said it would be illogical to prohibit religious symbols such as the crucifix from public places when society has grown conscious of the right to religious freedom. “The display of the Cross in public places does not impose a religion: in our tradition, the cross is a symbol and expression of the highest altruism and generosity, and of the deepest solidarity offered to all.

“We also feel that the spirit of dialogue which exists between different churches and religions should provide an excellent occasion so that the respective religious traditions are respected.”