Bavarians March To Keep Cross In Schools

Carrying wooden crosses and banners, about 30,000 Bavarians on Saturday protested a ruling by Germany’s highest court striking down a state law that mandated crucifixes on classroom walls.

“The crosses will remain!” Gov. Edmund Stoiber shouted as he greeted the mostly older crowd on a central square. “He who wishes to ban Christian symbols from public places touches an open nerve in our culture.”

The Constitutional Court on Aug. 10 struck down a 1968 school regulation requiring classroom crucifixes in Bavaria. The high court said it forced children to “learn under the cross.”

Bavaria, a largely Roman Catholic state that clings to its traditions, is the only German state where it is mandatory for the crucifix to be displayed. Residents have resisted taking down the crosses.

The couple whose lawsuit prompted the high court decision, complaining that their daughter was being taught against her will beneath a crucifix depicting a bleeding Jesus Christ, received threats after the ruling and were placed under police protection.