Appeal In Italian Crucifix Case Heard By European Court's Grand Chamber

Yesterday, the 19-judge Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights heard an appeal from a November ruling by a 7-judge panel that held crucifixes in public school classrooms in Italy violate protections in the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR panel found that crucifixes in classrooms infringe protections of thought, conscience and religion and the right of parents to educate their children according to their convictions. (See prior posting.) Both the European Centre for Law and Justice and AP report on yesterday's appeal in the case of Lautsi v. Italy . Joining Italy in the appeal were Armenia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Romania and Russia. Italian courts had held that the crucifix is part of the Italian national identity, and not an attempt to convert students. An amicus brief supporting Italy's position was filed in the case by a group of over 50 law professors from across Europe. The amicus effort was coordinated by Notre Dame law professor Paolo Carozza and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. (Notre Dame News, 6/7).