The good news: Italy is reportedly "united" against a court ruling which considers the presence of crucifixes in schools a human rights violation that could be "disturbing" for non-Christians and atheists.
The bad: In the midst of this controversy, various parties seem to consider the crucifix as a symbol of everything other than an accurate portrayal of an historical event & a primary symbol of the holy Catholic faith. For example, consider the following...
* Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said: "The presence of the crucifix in classrooms is not a sign of belief in Catholicism, rather it is a symbol of our tradition"
* "Bishops' conferences around Europe also weighed in against the decision, with the Portuguese saying the crucifix was 'part of western culture' and also 'an anti-violence icon'"
* Court cases have "[declared] on more than one occasion that the crucifix had become as much a symbol of Italian national identity as of Catholicism"
* Included with a Vatican spokesman's remarks is the comment that the crucifix "has always been" a sign of "unity and hospitality"
* The Italian bishops' conference issued a statement that indicated that the "it is not only a symbol of faith, but also a symbol of one of the major influences on Italian culture"
* One Cardinal said the crucifix is an "an image that cannot but be the emblem of a universally shared humanity"
Please, someone refer to the crucifix as a uniquely Catholic religious symbol which depicts the most important event in the history of mankind - our redemption by our loving God. It is an image of an actual historical event that should arouse awe & gratitude. It is not just a cultural image, a call to hospitality, or a mere symbol of tradition. It is a call to faith, an tangible icon of the price of our redemption. It is a symbol that sets us apart as Catholics and makes demons "tremble and flee." It is a "gospel in miniature", a powerful instructor on love, suffering, and the evil of sin. It is our boast and a stumbling block to others.
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 2:2)
"But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (St. Paul, Gal. 6:14)
"...we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 1:23)
"And Pilate again answering, saith to them: What will you then that I do to the king of the Jews? But they again cried out: Crucify him. And Pilate saith to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more: Crucify him. And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas: and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified." (Mk. 15:12-15)
"Let the crucifix be not only in my eyes and on my breast, but in my heart." (St. Bernadette Soubirous)
St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church, pointing to his crucifix: "This is the source of all my knowledge. I study only Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
[Related Resource: The Cross vs. The Crucifix]
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