On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the display of crucifixes in state schools in Italy contravenes the right to religious freedom. The verdict has caused consternation in Catholic Italy.

The Vatican says it has been shocked saddened by the decision. The Italian government is furious, calling the ruling absurd and shameful.

Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini argues that the crucifix is “a symbol of our tradition” rather than a religious symbol. She is quoted as saying: "No one, and certainly not an ideological European court, will succeed in erasing our identity".

The case was brought by Soile Lautsi. She first complained eight years ago about the presence of crucifixes in every classroom at her children’s school near Padua.

She had no success in Italian courts, but has now been awarded 5000 euros in damages by the European court. The Italian government is appealing against the verdict.

photo: a crucifix in an italian school (Flickr/microrama)