THE body representing the country’s Vocational Education Committees (VECs) had expressed dismay that the European Court of Human Rights may have prompted the removal of the crucifix from schools."Part of the educational system is designed to create an understanding of the various religions, but it would be taking things to a ridiculous level when you can’t display logos, emblems or whatever else it may be," said Michael Moriarty, general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA).
Prohibiting or obstructing the display of religious logos or emblems was "a denial of freedom," he stressed.
Mr Moriarty said he was astounded by the European court ruling that the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools was deemed a violation of religious and education freedoms.
The ruling could force a review of the use of religious symbols in government-run schools across Europe.
The Vatican denounced the court’s ruling.
Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said the crucifix was a fundamental sign of the importance of religious values, a symbol of unity and welcoming for all of humanity and not one of exclusion.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church in Ireland has suggested that the display of crucifixes in classrooms is something that was fully supported in the local community by parents and teachers alike.
A spokesman for the Catholic bishops added: "Catholic schools in Ireland are denominational schools which means that they provide education in the Catholic ethos. This position is supported by Catholic parents and is guaranteed by our Constitution. Catholic education is integrated into all aspects of school life thus respecting the individual in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ."
Europe’s court of human rights said the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools violates religious and education freedoms, prompting an angry reaction from the Catholic Church and government officials in Rome.
Saying the crucifix could be disturbing to non-Christian or atheist pupils, the court rejected arguments by Italy’s government that it was a national symbol of culture, history, identity, tolerance and secularism.
The Italian government immediately said it would appeal the ruling.
The court ordered the Italian government to pay a €5,000 fine to Soile Lautsi, the mother of two children who claimed public schools in her town refused eight years ago to remove the Roman Catholic symbols from classrooms.
The seven-judge panel, however, stopped short of ordering Italy to remove the crucifixes. The ruling can still be appealed to the European court’s grand chamber of 17 judges, whose decisions are binding.
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