Benedict XVI asks that the crucifix not be removed from public places in Italy
Celebrating Mass on the feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady in the parish of Castel Gondolfo, Benedict XVI asked that “God be visible in private and public places, that God be present in public life through the symbol of the Cross”. This appeal, launched by the pope in an apparently improvised sermon, made reference to a controversy in October 2003 in Italy, concerning the presence of the Crucifix in public places, particularly in schools. (see DICI no 84, Nov 2003)
The Holy Father said that “when God disappears, man does not become greater, but loses his dignity, he becomes the fruit of a blind evolution”. “The modern era, believed that by pushing God to one side and only following our own ideas and our own wills, we would become truly free, but that has not happened”. “If God alone is great,” he added, “man also becomes great”. He called for this to be “applied to daily life” asking that God be visible” in all places.
In the middle of August 2005, there was another controversy concerning attendance at religious study lessons in Italy. In its August 11 2005 edition, the Italian daily La Repubblica published disturbing figures on the sharp fall in attendance at courses on religion in high schools. Thus the percentage of pupils exempt from the “hour of religion” rose from 11.7% in 2001 to 37.6% in 2005. These figures have not been confirmed by the Italian education minister, but have provoked annoyed reactions on the part of the Italian bishops.
