Parents in Bavaria are protesting at the Supreme Court’s decision to ban crucifixes in the classroom because they infringe the constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom. The case, which was initiated by Ernst Seler, a follower of Rudolf Steiner, has caused outrage in the German state which is 70 per cent Roman Catholic.
Catholic bishops have urged schools to ignore the ruling and the Vatican has also criticised the ban. Crucifixes will still be able to put up in classroom but only if all parents agree. The Christian Social Union, Bavaria’s main political party, has said it will resist the decision and Chancellor Kohl has also become embroiled in the row.
