Education Minister Lorenzo
Fioramonti said he was "dismayed by the media hype" raised after
he suggested removing crucifixes from classrooms to respect
students of other beliefs.
"The issue is not on today's agenda, it is not a priority,
not even a far-off one", Fioramonti said.
He said that "instead of talking about what he was doing to
improve school buildings and help administrations, they're
talking about what I said about crucifixes".
"This country needs a change in mentality," he said.
Fioramonti's suggestion on removing crucifixes raised a
hornet's nest of opposition from the Catholic Church and
politicians such as nationalist League leader Matteo Salvini who
said "Oriana Fallaci was right, Italy is losing its identity".
The national atheists' association hailed the suggestion as
"a step in the right direction".
Fioramonti's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) was
quick to state that the issue was not on the agenda.
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