An Italian elementary and
nursery school head in Palermo has banned school prayers and
removed a statuette of the Madonna as well as photos of Pope
Francis, sources said Thursday.
The head, Nicolò La Rocca, issued the circular at the Ragusa
Moleti School this morning.
It prohibits teachers from leading children in prayers during
break and even during religion classes.
Politicians from left and right condemned the head's move.
"It was dictated by a mistaken sense of secularism that
denies our heritage and roots," said Democratic Party MP Edoardo
Patriarca.
Education Undersecretary Gabriele Toccafondi pointed out that
in 2011 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the
presence of crucifixes in Italian classrooms and other public
offices did not impinge on religious freedom.
Like others, he said the school head's decision had been
dictated by "ideology".
"Common sense should be enough to avert episodes like this,"
he said.
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